Our History

St. Mark began as a mission outreach church in Belgium by St. John Lutheran Church in Port Washington in 1987. In September 1987, the first service was conducted at the Belgium Village Hall. On December 20, 1988, St. Mark became the first church located in Belgium—the steering committee was established, a constitution and bylaws were written, and we officially joined the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Rev. Edwin Kieper, who was retired, served as our first pastor.

Growth expanded, and a bigger space was needed. St. Mark was blessed with a donation of 5 acres of land by the Wester family, and a portable classroom was donated by the Hazlett family to be used as a church. In July 1990, the classroom was relocated to its current location on Park Street, and renovation commenced. The first service was held on March 1, 1992.

Rev. Elmer Lisch was installed as our first called pastor on April 12, 1992, and our first full-time pastor, Rev. James Eggert, was installed on August 10, 2003. Rev. Wayne King was installed on June 3, 2007, following his time with us as a vicar, a student pastor from the seminary.

Our first mortgage burning was on June 26, 2005. St. Mark began to fill up the space we had, so in 2015, a new addition was begun and completed in 2018. We are preparing to celebrate our next mortgage burning for the addition on October 12, 2025.

Rev. King was our longest-serving pastor and retired in 2022. Rev. Paul Scheunemann served St. Mark during the vacancy as we worked to call a new pastor. Rev. Lewis Polzin was installed as our current pastor on May 3, 2025.

Presently, St. Mark is also involved in a ministry partnership with St. John Lutheran Church in Fredonia, sharing responsibilities and pastoral ministry, thereby benefiting both congregations through fellowship and service. We are also eagerly planning our 40th anniversary celebrations, which will take place in 2027.