Stained glass windows...

St. Mark's & St. John's Episcopal Church in Jim Thorpe originally started in 1829 with lay people teaching/leading as clergy were not readily available in the area. St. Marks church was officially recognized in 1836 by the Diocese of Pennsylvania's Protestant Episcopal Church, St. Mark's was the "mother" church for with other parishes and ministries including St. John established in 1867. (In 1980 St. John's closed and consolidated joining St. Mark's.)

After it was officially recognized plans were made and a church was built in 1848 but by 1867 they had outgrown the church building and decided to demolish the first building with a new larger one. And two years later it was complete.

Jim Thorpe and the surrounding towns are remnants of the past. For many the Industrial Revolution meant hard labor in the factories and mines but for others it meant economic growth, prosperity, and great wealth. St. Mark benefited from several of theses families as items were donated over time. One of the biggest contributors to the church was  Mary Packer Cummings. She donated the below stained glass windows created by  Mr. Tiffany (of Tiffany Jewelers). I learned today that his stained glass is both unique and priceless as his designs and colors have not been recreated by anyone since. If you look closely you can see through portions of the clothing to see arms and legs. His people in the glass had coloring of skin and his hues and shades of color are unlike any other. He meant to train others and pass on what he had learned to do but both he and the person he was training died before his secrets could be shared with the world. My pictures don't do his handiwork justice, its truly remarkable and beautiful.

In 1912 Ms. Cummings donated enough for the church to be renovated and redecorated. This church is built into the side of the mountain and some of the utility closets walls are the actual side of the mountain. From the street to the main chapel is several flights of stone stairs. She had the foresight to see the need for all to get to church and donated an elevator to be built in the church. Today its the second oldest elevator in the United States (we rode on it and it was really neat!) Sadly she passed away before it was finished but her casket was carried in the elevator.

For more history and to truly see the beauty of this church, I recommend going on the $5 tour!

Below is the original small chapel with hand painted tiles on walls and floor:

Below is the larger and currently used chapel:

(this is part of the ceiling in the back of the church over the baptismal area)

(baptism area)

(back of the church)

(this came from England with permission/help from the Queen of England)

(painting on canvas in their fellowship hall)