Church History

St. Mark’s began as a mission of St. Patrick’s Parish in Markham. Sunday Masses were offered in the school gym from the time St. Mark’s School was built about 1967.

In the fall of 1979, the priests of St. Patrick’s decided to close down the Mission of Stouffville and invite everyone to come to Mass in Markham. A delegation of five parishioners presented a brief to Bishop Clune asking that a Parish be established in Stouffville. Bishop Clune obtained Cardinal Carter’s approval and Fr. Larry Dugo was recalled from his sabbatical to start the Parish and initiate a building campaign.

The Ladies’ Choir which began in January 1979 to sing on Sundays in the school gym was expanded to a four part mixed choir led by Nick Kamps and organist Teresa Kusatz. Our first official “High Mass” was celebrated by Fr. Dugo on the first Sunday of Advent in 1979.

After giving the Parish a dynamic beginning, Fr. Dugo found it necessary to leave after celebrating Easter Sunday Mass in April 1980. He was replaced by Fr. James Adams who carried on the task of building the church. A Fall Fair was run successfully with the combined efforts of St. Mark’s Holy Name Guild, the Daughters of Mary Guild, the Youth Club and the Social Planning Committee. The annual Pub Night also began once the church hall was built. The proceeds from these functions made a great contribution to the Church Building Fund.

Bishop Clune officiated at the sod-turning for the new church, with Fr. Adams, the first Parish Council and many parishioners present. The church was built with the help of many parishioner volunteers contributing hours of labour to the construction. Finally in February 1983 we began to celebrate Mass in our new church and in May the church was consecrated by Cardinal Carter.

In October 1991 Father Adams was transferred and Fr. Leslie Tamas became our new pastor. The Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Women’s League were established by Father Leslie. We began to have music at all the weekend liturgies including a Folk Group at the 5 pm Saturday Mass. During Fr. Leslie’s tenure the garage and storage unit were built, a new furnace and air conditioning unit was installed. (During the years that followed the church roof was replaced, the church and rectory were re-painted and the church organ was replaced.)

After 45 years in the priesthood and 14 years as our pastor, Fr. Leslie Tamas retired in August 2005 and Fr. Lorenzo Salandanan came to be the Administrator of our Parish.

Father Lorenzo Salandanan was solemnly installed as our Pastor on Sunday July 23, 2006. Bishop Peter Joseph Hundt presided the celebration and Father Francis Galvan and Father Chris Cauchi concelebrated with Bishop Hundt and Father Lorenzo in the presence of Deacon John Schwarzbauer and Deacon Alex Masongsong. There was a wonderful turnout of parishioners of St. Mark and Fr. Lorenzo's adopted family and many friends from the previous parishes he served in, partook of this wonderful celebration.

Since taking office at St. Marks, Fr. Lorenzo has together with volunteers and donations from parishioners, made a beautiful Mother Mary's garden in the front of the church. It is truly a community garden, as all the flowers were either given or there was monetary donations made to purchase them. .