On July 24, 1973, St. Mark Parish was created from the parish of St. Theresa in Gonzales. The founding pastor, Father Clarence Waguespack, soon took residence in a mobile home located close to newly-purchased church property. The parishioners worked enthusiastically to clear the wooded area of land assigned for the building of the new church. Father Waguespack celebrated Sunday Mass temporarily at the V.F.W. Hall and, for weekday Masses, a hall was built by the ushers and other parishioners.
Two years later, on December 7, 1975, the new church was dedicated and blessed by Bishop Joseph Sullivan and placed under the protection of St. Mark the Evangelist. The parishioners of St. Mark continued to enhance their church over the years. In 1978, stained glass windows representing church organizations were installed in the church, and a statue of St. Mark made out of Carrara marble was erected in front of the church. At the back of the church, a new sacristy was built which included a stained glass window commemorating the deceased members of the parish. Additionally, a beautiful shrine in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes was built near the PSR Building. The shrine is affectionately known as “The Grotto.”
On July 24, 1983, St. Mark celebrated its 10th anniversary with a special event. On this day, the mortgage of all the debt of the parish was burned. Through the years, the parish has been blessed with nearly 50 organizations and ministries. The parishioners of St. Mark continue to pray, work and worship together as God’s family in Gonzales.