Submitted photo St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, which was established in 1904, had its members gather as they reached out to the local schools and communities during the holidays. While the membership is fewer than it has been in the past, the congregation supports the local community. Front row, from left, are Carol Jones, Chasity Cerny, Ben Luoma, Tracy Shimko, Lucille Luoma, Grant Sanzenbacher, Marianne Musolino, Maureen Sanzenbacher, Coleen Luoma, Elaine Ward, John Ward, Arlene Glass and Judi Greaver. Back row, John Talstein, Ed Rantilla, Frank Cerny, Ruth DiGiovanni, Bob Talstein and Pastor Steve Brown.

WARREN — Since being established in 1904, St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church members have been active in the community helping others.

While the membership has dropped in recent years, the congregation does what it can to help others at local schools and in the local neighborhoods. Tracy Shimko, one of the members, said the congregation gathered at the holidays to send cards and messages to church shut-ins and for children at nearby Jefferson PK-8 School who the members support during the year.

The congregation also took a group photo which was sent to the homebound and the school.

Shimko said there are about 30 members on the books, with 15 to 18 regularly attending each Sunday.

“We do what we can to help in the community. We especially collect items for children at Jefferson School and have a liaison there we work with. We get items for children at the holidays and what they may need for school,” Shimko said.

The church often helps the Jefferson School families with food and clothing items.

She said member Arlene Glass is the one that keeps the congregation informed of what items the children may need.

John Talstein said even though the church may be few in number, they do what they can to provide assistance to local residents and community members. Shimko said the church marked its 100th anniversary in 2004.

“We are more than 100 years old and are still going,” she said.

Shimko said the members do what they can to maintain the church, which is a historic building a few blocks from Quinby Park and is known for its colorful stained glass windows that tell the story of Christ.

The church’s beginnings were when the Finnish immigrants came to Warren in the late 19th century, The Finnish immigrants brought with them the flame of faith.

In January 1904, the church members established a full-time congregation, and a church council was elected.

The first church building was located on Clinton Street SW.

The current church building was constructed in 1926 at the corner of Parkman Road SW and Oak Street SW. In the 1940s was the beginning of the stained glass windows for the sanctuary,

In 1962, St, Mark’s became part of the new Lutheran Church in America.

Members said in the late 1970s, the church began facing issues with shrinking membership and a changing neighborhood and community that faced economic problems.

The church over the years has established outreach ministries for the local neighborhoods such as a food pantry and clothing program.