SYV Concert Series

'''St. Mark's-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church''' St. Mark's-in-the-Valley is an Episcopal Church located in Los Olivos, California. The church has a rich history that dates back to 1926 when Episcopalians in the Santa Ynez Valley began gathering in homes for worship. These services were initially led by The Rev. Mr. Mockford, Vicar of St. Mary's Church in Lompoc, and continued under The Rev. Mr. Maemann. In the 1930s, All Saints-by-the-Sea in Montecito, with clergy including The Rev. Dean Weld and The Rev. John De Forest Pettus, took over the mission in the Valley. The congregation, during the tenure of The Rev. Pettus, became a recognized parochial mission of All Saints and met in various local buildings before establishing its own church. The church was officially accepted into the Diocese of Los Angeles on January 27, 1943, and The Rev. David Pierce-Jones became its first Vicar in 1944. The first service in the newly built church on Laurel and Alisal in Solvang took place on June 28, 1948, in a simple redwood structure constructed by the members after the original architectural plans were found to be too costly. Over the years, St. Mark's-in-the-Valley has been served by several vicars and rectors who have contributed to the growth and development of the church. Notably, The Rev. Karl Gustav Markgraf served for a decade from 1956, during which the church's Book Faire began. The Rev. Gary William Sitton, who became the church's last Vicar and first Rector, presided over the dedication of the parish hall in memory of Anthony "Tony" Dunn in 1967. In 1972, the church applied for parish status, which was granted, marking a significant milestone in its history. The Rev. Charles Herrick Stacy, who served as the second Rector for over 31 years, oversaw the move of the parish from Solvang to Los Olivos and the construction of new church buildings, including the church itself in 1982, the parlor and office building in 1987, and the parish hall in 1992. These buildings were designed by California architect Richard A. Barrett and were funded through donations and fundraising efforts. St. Mark's-in-the-Valley has been actively involved in social concerns and community service, including initiating a large-scale food distribution program. The church also opened a professional Pre-School in 2007, which is housed in Stacy Hall and offers classes for children aged three to pre-kindergarten. The current Rector, The Rev. Randall C.K. Day, has been serving since October 2008, following a nationwide search after the retirement of Fr. Stacy. Under his leadership, the church completed its Los Olivos campus by purchasing a rectory, named the Rusack-Firestone Rectory in honor of Bishop Robert Rusack and Ambassador Leonard Firestone. St. Mark's-in-the-Valley continues to serve as a community center, offering a range of programs and events for the Santa Ynez Valley community. The church is located at 2901 Nojoqui Avenue at Alamo Pintado Avenue, and it maintains a professional Pre-School, various service programs, and a vibrant music ministry. [Contact Information] Address: Post Office Box 39, Los Olivos, California 93441 Church messages: 805-688-4454 Preschool: 805-688-1815 Website: [infosmitv.org](http://infosmitv.org)