Help Restore Historic St. Mark AME Church

Greetings and Blessings from St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church!

St. Mark AME Church has stood as a pillar of faith and history in Duluth for over 125 years.

Unfortunately, after more than a century of service, the church is in need of significant repairs due to age-related deterioration. To continue serving as a welcoming space for worship, gatherings, and community events, we need your help to make essential repairs that will restore our building’s integrity and ensure accessibility for all.

A Brief History of St. Mark: St. Mark is not only a place of worship but a historic landmark. As Duluth’s first African Methodist church, it has played a central role in the African American community for over a century. The church has hosted important events, including a visit by NAACP founder W.E.B. Du Bois in 1921, and has provided a safe and supportive environment for local organizations like the Masonic order and the NAACP.

The church building, completed in 1900, is a Gothic Revival masterpiece, complete with a bell tower, Tudor revival elements, and stunning locally made stained glass windows. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. However, time has taken its toll, and we are now facing urgent repair needs.

Our Urgent Repair Needs:

Bell Tower Roof Replacement ($15,000 - $40,000): The flat roof of our bell tower has failed, causing significant water infiltration. This has damaged the vestibule and the sanctuary walls. Repairing the roof and replacing the flashing is crucial to preventing further water damage and structural issues. The estimates we have received to complete this range from $15,000 - $40,000.

Sanctuary and Vestibule Ceiling Repair (Estimated: $5,000): The water damage from the roof has impacted the plaster sanctuary walls and vestibule ceiling. Restoration work is needed to restore the integrity of these historic features.

Exterior Brick Restoration and Tuckpointing: The exterior brick walls of the church are showing signs of severe deterioration, particularly around the bell tower and flashing areas. This may require extensive restoration and replacement of damaged sections to ensure the building’s safety and longevity.

Accessibility Ramp (Estimated: $25,000): The church is currently inaccessible to those with mobility challenges. We are planning to build a ramp on the east side of the building to make the sanctuary accessible to everyone. This is an important project to ensure inclusivity in our community space.

Restroom Accessibility and Potential Lift or Elevator: Our restrooms are located in the basement, which is not accessible to everyone. The bathrooms themselves are also not accessible. We are exploring our options for the most feasible and cost-effective way to remedy this.

How You Can Help: These repairs are vital for St. Mark to be able to serve and host the community. As a small congregation, we are unable to cover these extensive repairs on our own. We are humbly requesting your support in the form of monetary donations, materials, or even your time and labor. Your generosity will help us continue serving the community and preserve this important piece of Duluth’s history.

Ways to Give:

Monetary Donations: Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference. Monetary donations can be made through GoFundMe.

Material Donations: If you have access to building materials or can assist in sourcing supplies, we would greatly appreciate your help in this way. Please email [email redacted].

Labor Donations: If you can provide professional services (roofing, masonry, accessibility construction), we would love to discuss how you could partner with us. Please email [email

Thank you for your generosity and support. Together, we can ensure St. Mark AME Church continues to serve as a beacon of hope and history in Duluth for many years to come.