I warmly invite you to our services on Sundays (10 am and 6.30 pm) and Wednesdays (3.45 pm), and to our many activities and groups which happen throughout the week.
Our grounds and garden are also open for a walk, a picnic or some quiet reflection. You will find more information about parish life on this website and also by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
May God bless you,
Helene
Revd Canon Dr Helene T. Steed, Rector
Almighty God,
you alone can bring growth to your Church.
Send your Holy Spirit to give us wisdom in our planning, courage in our actions and power in our outreach.
May we in St Mark’s grow in spiritual commitment to you; grow in numbers and in our service to the community.
We pray for a new spring.
In the name of Jesus, Amen.
The Church of Ireland Code of Good Practice for Ministry with Children
The Rector, Select Vestry and parish leaders are committed to uphold good practice in the parish’s ministry with children and young people. Should you have a concern or suspicion regarding child welfare in the parish please contact a member of the parish panel (see above) or email the parish office on office.dundela@down.anglican.org.
1. Revd Canon Dr Helene T Steed
2. Mrs Lesley Donaldson
3. Mr Michael Newman
4. Mr Robert MacBride
Saint Mark’s Church, Parish of Dundela is in the Diocese of Down and Dromore, one of 12 dioceses in the Church of Ireland which is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. It covers the north east of Ireland and includes half of the city of Belfast, the whole of County Down and parts of County Armagh, east of the River Bann. The diocese is the second largest with a church population of around 91,000 people. Our Bishop is The Right Reverend David McClay, Bishop of Down and Dromore. The Diocese of Down and Dromore has an extensive website.
St Mark’s Church, Parish of Dundela, is on the Holywood Road, East Belfast. The building is situated on ‘Bunker Hill’, an elevated position, which allows this beacon of witness, to be seen from many miles around. The church has much treasured connections with C S Lewis who was baptised here.
It was designed in red sandstone by the eminent Victorian architect William Butterfield – also responsible for Keble College, Oxford – in magnificent Gothic revival style. The 150ft high bell tower creates the impression of a large church. It is an extravagant building, reflecting deep devotion to God.
Sir John Betjeman, a leading authority on architecture and particularly Victorian Church architecture, described St Mark’s as “Butterfield at his best”. Mr Stephen Dykes Bower, a consultant architect to Westminster Abbey and foremost authority on Butterfield, was commissioned to supervise restoration work in 1976. Dykes Bower commented “It is an outstanding example of Butterfield’s work… and a fine specimen of Butterfield attempting to re-create the Gothic grandeur of a medieval cathedral.” Dykes Bower designed and pendant lighting which gives a warm glow, akin to candle light.
The Old Rectory is a large red brick building on the south side of the church. It was designed by S P Close and built in 1887. Thomas Hamilton, the first rector of St Mark’s Church and grandfather of C S Lewis lived here from 1887-1900.
The building stands proudly in its own grounds and complements the church. This building, together with the Heyn Hall beside the Old Rectory, gives St Mark’s one of the finest suites of church buildings in Belfast or even Ireland.
The door handle of the Old Rectory is in the shape of a lion and may have inspired C.S Lewis.
The Heyn Hall
The Heyn Memorial Hall at the corner of Sydenham Avenue and the Holywood Road was built in 1928-9. It was designed by R H Gibson in association with Henry Seaver and constructed by F B McKee and Co. Paul Larmour in his illustrated architectural guide to Belfast describes it as “One of the finest parish halls in the country.”
It is built in Tudor style with red brick walls, green Norwegian slates, wood panelled rooms, and timber mullioned windows. Upstairs, the youth room is known as the wardrobe and has a mural of Narnia recalling the parish’s association with C.S. Lewis.
We are here to support you and to listen. And we would love to hear from you; please share your ideas and words of encouragement so that we can pass them on to other parishioners. Thank you.
