The first recorded church service in the Berkeley Springs area was noted in Washington's
diary on August 20, 1769, while he was visiting the springs with his wife and step-daughter, Patsy Custis. The springs
were in the original Norborn Parish and since Washington was an Anglican Churchman, it is assumed that the service was Anglican.
Bishop Peterkin established an Episcopal Mission here at Berkeley Springs in 1878.
The design for St. Mark's Church was presented by Jay Cooke, who is remembered by the cross on the altar. The cornerstone
of the church was laid in 1881 and during the next five years, the church was hand built by Henry H. Hunter. St. Mark's was
consecrated on August 26, 1886, by Bishop Peterkin.
