Florida Historical Markers Programs - Marker Detail

Description: On June 2, 1878, The Right Reverend, The Bishop of Florida, and Dr. William H. Carter of Holy Cross Church of Sanford, FL held the first meeting of St. Mark's Episcopal at a nearby Rockledge residence. The mission was originally named St. Michael's in honor of St. Michael the Archangel. In 1884 Mrs. Lucy Boardman, a Winter resident of Sanford and frequent visitor to Cocoa and Melbourne, made a donation to Bishop Young for the constuction of Episcopal churches in the Indian River Area. Mrs. Sarah O. Delannoy donated land for the church. The board and batten Carpenter Gothic church was designed by Gabriel Gingras in 1886. William Booth and William Hindle, both early settlers in Cocoa designed and installed the church's woodwork. While still under construction on Christmas Eve 1886, the church was the sight of the first ever Christmas Tree seen in Cocoa Village. In 1888 "Michael," the Church's tower bell was cast in New York. In 1890 the church name was changed to St. Mark's in recognition of support from St. Mark's church in West Orange, New Jersey. Despite later remodeling and additions, most of the church's original interior woodwork and stained glass windows remain