About Saint Mark Catholic Church in Peoria, Illinois:
Although founded much earlier, Saint Mark Catholic Church here in Peoria was growing so rapidly that in 1920 an enlargement was a necessity. It’s interesting to note that the contractor for the renovations and addition was Charles Wall, the son of the original builder. His father might have been surprised at the elegance of the high altar and chancel communion rail of carrara marble, the cost to expand the church which was twice that of the original construction.
The Peoria Journal Transcript described it as “one of the largest and most beautiful churches in the diocese with its new pews, terazzo marble floors, and three beautiful Gothic marble altars”.
In 1975, following the Second Vatican Council, the church was remodeled and redecorated to conform to the new liturgical requirements. Much of the marble was removed, orange carpeting was installed (ugh!), and a large wooden altar was constructed and placed close to the pews. Yes…you know what we think of these changes!
Tragically, only six weeks after the remodeling was completed, both sacristies were virtually destroyed by fire, which caused extensive smoke damage throughout the building. It was restored shortly afterwards.
Father Dietzen commissioned St. Mark’s Statue in the fall of 1978. The statue is nearby at the corner of Bradley Avenue and University Street.
Succeeding Father Dietzen was Father Thomas Murphy (1983-88) who was instrumental in adopting two parishes in Haiti, as well as setting up a group home for the developmentally disabled.
In 1998, Father Benjamin Reese became the tenth Pastor of St. Mark Parish. Father Reese emphasized family faith formation, and renewed devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist and to the Blessed Mother. He developed long range goals in 2000 that led to the renovation of this historic church. He, along with Father Francis Gallagher, worked to transform St. Mark’s to its original beauty. Their work resulted in the church becoming a Diocesan Shrine to Fra Angelico.
From 2011-2024, Monsignor Brian K. Brownsey served as pastor. Ordained a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria on May 25, 1996, Monsignor Brownsey has served parishes and schools throughout the Diocese, including Sacred Heart Church (Moline), Allerman High School (Rock Island), St. Mary’s (Utica), Marquette High School (Ottawa), and St. Peter’s (Peoria). In 2008, he became the Director of the St. Joseph Newman Center.
Under Monsignor Brownsey’s direction, St. Mark’s has seamlessly integrated the Catholic students at Bradley University and the St. Joseph Newman Center into parish life. Many of these students are permanent parishioners and regularly attend Mass. As Monsignor Brownsey noted: “I prefer to think of us as the parish that serves the entire parish community – old established families, new families making their homes in West Peoria, the small children, retired people, and the college students who bless us with their presence.” In 2024, Monsignor Brownsey was assigned as pastor of Holy Cross in Champagne.
Father Robert Lampitt arrived at St Mark in the summer of 2024 after serving for seven years as the Chaplain of the St Joseph Newman Center at the University of Illinois in Champagne. Father Lampitt joins St Mark as the Pastor Chaplain/Director, St. Joseph Chapel and Newman Foundation at Bradley University (2024).
Renovations at St Mark’s Catholic Church in Peoria, Illinois and was the first full scale church renovation done by MBJ; one that, by all accounts, was a smashing success. The renovation included some twenty four paintings, some of which were adaptations of the works of Fra Angelico, and others that were completely original but utilizing a similar style. Other features of the restoration work include the use of trompe l’oeil and the restoration of some of the original marble finishings, including the original altarpieces.
“This project started as a single commission for the Coronation of the Virgin painting and ended up a full redecoration and renovation. After we met with [the parish priest] and he could see what we might be able to accomplish, he commissioned the Coronation painting. He loved the first painting and started raising money to add others.
“We found that there was a terrazzo floor under the orange commercial carpeting. We also found out during our work there that a friend of ours had rescued the original marble altars that were discarded in the 1970’s when they modified the interior. He gave the altars back to the church when he found that we were properly renovating the church. With the help of parishioners and a friend in the stone and marble business, we were able to restore the sanctuary furnishings to their original glory.
“The then newly appointed Bishop Daniel Jenky (Peoria Diocese) dedicated the church as a shrine of Blessed Fra Angelico.”
The parish shares deep historical ties with Bradley University, even housing the Shrine to Blessed Fra Angelico through a cooperative relationship with the Bradley University Art Department.
Traveling to Saint Mark Catholic Church in Peoria, Illinois:
Saint Mark Catholic Church is immediately adjacent to the Bradley University campus.
Address: 1113 W Bradley Ave, Peoria, IL 61606
Phone: +1 (309) 673-1263
Visit the website of Saint Mark Roman Catholic Parish in Peoria, Illinois.