Our History
St Mark’s Parish was originally part of St James, Clerkenwell.
Clerkenwell developed rapidly in the 1820s and the need for a new church was identified as early as 1818, when the Commissioners appointed under the new Church Building Act approached the New River Company with a view to building a church in a square on the estate, but it was late 1822 before matters progressed. Th Company donated land at the centre of Myddelton Square. The company’s surveyor, William Chadwell Mylne, designed the church, which was consecrated by the Bishop of London, Dr William Howley, on 1st January 1828. Notably, there was no graveyard, and the square was preserved for residents' use.
The church, costing £16,000 to build, is now a Grade II listed building and a key feature of the New River Conservation Area. Its west tower remains a distinctive landmark with commanding views across London. Architectural historian Nicholas Pevsner described it as “a neat Gothic box.”
Over the years, the interior of St Mark’s has undergone several changes. In 1873, reordering at the east end created a vestry and a St Mark’s / Lady Chapel. The 1930s saw the removal of unsafe side galleries.
A significant feature inside the church is the memorial to the Finsbury Rifles, moved here in 1965 from Albany Street Barracks. It commemorates those who served and perished in both World Wars, with annual Remembrance Sunday observances.
During the Second World War, a barrage balloon struck the church tower, and in 1941, a bomb destroyed much of the glass and left the roof dangerous. As a result, part of the church remained closed for nearly twenty years. Repairs, including structural reinforcements and window restoration, enabled the full reopening of the church in 1962.
In the early 1970s, the West Gallery was removed and replaced with a Church Hall. Around the same time, the striking East Window was commissioned by the London Metropolitan Water Board. Designed by A.E. Buss of Goddard & Gibbs, it depicts the risen Christ, with references to the New River and key local historical figures. The cast iron tracery in the church’s other windows, produced by the Ironbridge Company, is a rare surviving example in London.
St Mark’s history has included challenges, including two interregnums since the 1970s, during which the church faced potential closure. At one stage, it was joined with Holy Redeemer, Exmouth Market, under one priest. However, St Mark’s later regained its status as an independent parish, though it continues to share a Vicar with Holy Redeemer.
In 2002, St Mark’s welcomed the World Community for Christian Meditation, leading to changes in church use, including office conversions and the creation of the Meditatio outreach and training centre. Meanwhile, ongoing restoration work included a major roof refurbishment in 2004, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
More recently, improvements have included new heating, modernised lighting, and enhanced toilet and kitchen facilities. In 2008, St Mark’s welcomed Trinity Church Islington, an evangelical Anglican community that contributes to parish life and supports further repairs and initiatives, including a Story Corner for young children.
A booklet on the history of St Mark's by Nicholas Riddell is available for purchase at the church.
The Survey of London volume on North Clerkenwell has more details of the design and building history of the church.