St. Mark's Episcopal Church
Why it's listed
Built in Philadelphia from random brown freestone and red sandstone ashlar, St. Mark's Episcopal Church was designed by John Notman, a Scottish-born architect. The cornerstone was laid on April 7, 1848, and the plan follows the English High Church model of St. Stephen's, Westminster, which Notman adapted to an urban site. The church has an off-center tower and broached octagonal spire rising 90 feet above an 80-foot square base, three aisles, a chancel and a later Lady Chapel. Its unplastered walls of hammer-dressed stone and open timber roof give the interior its distinction. The building is regarded as one of the finest examples of the archeological phase of Gothic Revival in America and as a successful answer to a difficult city site. The funeral of General George Gordon Meade was held here in 1872.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is one of the earliest examples of Anglican High Church Gothic revival in an urban setting in the country and remains one of the finest examples of the archeological phase of Gothic Revival in America. Its interior is described as the finest church interior of its period in the United States, and the design is credited to John Notman, one of the most distinguished 19th-century American architects.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82003815, listed April 19, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1607--27 Locust St., Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| County | Philadelphia |
| Listed | April 19, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82003815 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1847-1852 |
| Architect / builder | John Notman (architect) |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated February 4, 1985 |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Within district | Center City West Commercial Historic District |
| Coordinates | 39.94884, -75.16831 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82003815.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7589946
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.