In the spring of 1879 Rev. J.J. Walker the pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Manawa conducted his first service at the request of several families of German Lutherans who had settled in the Town of Union (Symco). On the first Sunday after Easter in 1880 Rev. J.J. Walker presented a constitution for the new congregation members who had now left St. Paul's congregation in Manawa in order to establish this parish. After this constitution was a subject of discussion in several meetings, it was finally adopted on July 18, 1880. There was a total of 46 souls when this congregation began. A few years after the congregation was organized, a Lutheran day school was established. The day school remained in operation until 1933.

The congregation has remained a part of Symco since its organization in 1880. Over the years it has grown in membership to some 600 souls. The current church building was built in 1955 and dedicated in 1956 and has been updated in recent years with an enlarged narthex, an elevator, new church offices and handicap bathrooms.

In the 1940's the pastor of St. Mark began preaching at St. Luke, Big Falls during a time of vacancy. The relationship between these two congregations has continued all these years and they are now a dual parish. Big Falls is about 13 miles north west of Symco. It is a small congregation of about 43 souls.

The current pastor is Rev. Jeffrey A. Smiles who began serving here in April, 1997. Pastor Smiles was born in Chicago, IL and raised in and around the Shawano, WI area. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, WI in 1990 and Masters of Divinity degree from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO in 1994. He is married to Carol, and they have three children; Maria, Jessica, and Alexandria. Prior to serving St. Mark, he was the associate pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Wales, WI.

The congregation is about 600 souls and provides a a number of activities for all ages.

There are two ladies groups. The Ladies / Lutheran Woman's Missionary League which meets monthly for Bible Study and business. The Sarah Circle is the other women's group which meets monthly for fellowship and a variety of topics and activities.

There are two youth groups. Our Lutheran Youth Fellowship (L.Y.F.) is for the High School age youth. They meet twice monthly. Regular activities include dramas for worship, fun activities, participate in youth activities through the North Wisconsin District, working toward and attending the National Youth Gathering of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and etc. The other youth group is the St. Mark Youth League (S.M.Y.L.) for the middle school youth. This group meets once a month to do a variety of fun activities.

There is also an adult mixed choir that rehearses once a week and offers special music once a month at our regular worship services as well as special holiday services.

There is also a dart ball team that competes with area churches.

There is also a sewing group, the Busy Bees, which meets weekly most of the year to sew quilts that are sent around the world.

There is the Altar Guild which directs the decorating of the church for Christmas and Easter along with their regular duties.

There is an Adult Bible Study that meet regularly through out the year on Tuesday night. Topics vary throughout the year.

St. Mark has an active Sunday School program. Sunday School classes are available for all children starting at the nursery level (ages 3 & 4) all the way to eighth grade. The Sunday School offers a special Christmas Program each year and various grades sing once a month during our worship service.

The congregation also has a three year confirmation program from sixth through eighth grade. Along with this program these youth also assist in the worship service on a regular basis as acolytes.

Each year the congregation also hosts an Easter Egg hunt on the church grounds and fun activities inside including face painting, temporary tattoos, games, and live "Easter" bunnies.

Each summer St. Mark holds a week long Vacation Bible School for children pre - school age (ages 3 -4) through fifth grade. It is usually held within the first few weeks of June.

10:15AM Sundays year round

7:30 PM Saturdays September - May

7:30 PM Wednesdays June - August

The Lord's Supper is served on the 1, 3, and 5, weekends

Worship styles varies from service to service with traditional Lutheran liturgies and hymns to some rather contemporary styles with praise and camp fire music. During the Summer months we will occasionally hold our Wednesday nights services outside on the church grounds with the suggestion that people come dressed comfortable and bring a blanket or lawn chair.

Special services are held for the holiday seasons including Advent midweek services, Christmas Eve Candlelight services, Lenten Midweek Services, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday Tenebrae (Service of Darkness) and an Easter Sunrise (5:00 AM) Service.

The missions statement of our congregation is St. Mark -- "A Caring, Christian, Community." With that in mind we support our local food pantry and assist needy families when asked. We also support Rev. Dr. Carl Selle who directs the International Student Ministries for our Synod.

Each year St. Mark hold a Pancake Supper in the spring. People from all over the area, including the Fox Valley join us for a dinner consisting of pancakes, potato pancakes, sausages, cheese and homemade desserts. This is an event the whole Congregation gets involved with and take great pride in.

Each year the Youth hold a Christmas Dinner on the second week of December.

Each year the Ladies Aid / LWML hold a Chili Luncheon.

Each year the L.Y.F hold an auction that is meant to be both fun and serve as a fund raiser. Each year the auction offers some great bargains as well as fun and competitive bidding. Items include bake and craft items, antiques and many other treasures. This auction is held each spring.