Welcome to Holy Cross Church, Mark
Thanks for dropping in… Whether you live locally or are visiting, you are welcome!
The Church building is where we meet together, but ‘the church’ is as much the people as the building!
We gather to worship God, to learn and grow in our Christian faith and to share God’s love with all.
Holy Cross Church is situated in the heart of the Somerset village of Mark, in the Diocese of Bath and Wells.
Benefice Changes from 1st January 2026
On 1st January 2026 Mark Parish moved to become part of the new ‘Wedmore – Isle and Moors’ Benefice, led by Preb Richard Neill as Vicar and Revd Joy Hawes as Associate Priest, and supported by several retired clergy. Richard is an experienced priest, who has been Area Dean for Axbridge Deanery until very recently – a role that Joy has now taken on. They have been getting to know Mark Parish better over the last few months and have worked together with all the parishes that are forming the new benefice to ensure that this development is successful in every respect. The other parishes involved in this new benefice are Allerton, Blackford, Theale and Wedmore.
This change has come about due to the need for Axbridge Deanery to reduce its stipendiary clergy from 9 to 7, a cut-back necessary for Bath & Wells Diocese to reduce its deficit budget. The saving is being made as East & West Huntspill Parishes (The Huntspills Benefice) continue to be led by Rev Christine Judson as Rector, but on reduced hours, on a part-time (0.5) stipend.
All of these changes have taken a great deal of consultation and much hard work to put into place and will take time to settle. Please do not hesitate to ask, wherever uncertainties arise. Understandably, there is a sadness in letting go of the way things have been, but our God is a God of Resurrection, and we trust that he can bring good out of all situations. Let us all look to the future with hope, and be open to the many ways God calls us all to share his love, through prayer and action, walking with Christ each and every day.
To find out what’s happening in the church please visit Holy Cross Website A Church Near You
History 5 things to know about Holy Cross Church, Mark
• Although it is believed there was a chapel in Mark as early as 1176, one of the earliest references to there being a church here appears in about 1265, when the new Mark Church was said to be ‘recently’ consecrated. The Church was dedicated by William, Bishop of Bath and Wells in April 1268 as “The Church of the Holy Cross”
• In 1853 the Church was dedicated to St Mark but reverted to the earlier dedication in 1939. The niche above the main porch contains a figure of what must be St Mark with his attribute of the lion (in fact there are two of them!).
• The Church clock was installed in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee and now has an electrical winding system.
• The remarkable and beautifully carved Four Evangelists in the Choir, were originally in Bruges Cathedral.
• The North Aisle Roof is quite magnificent woodwork with Tudor carvings, while the main Nave Barrel Roof features many heads of Abbots, Saints and Bishops including King Alfred and his wife, most of which date back to the 14th century.
Holy Cross Church Hall, Mark
Mark Church Hall is a small hall with a kitchen, toilets and a stage. Perfect for meetings or a party.
To book, or for further details please ring Peter Higman on 01278 641479
Directions
Holy Cross Church
Church St,
Mark,
Highbridge
TA9 4NF
From Bridgwater
Take the A38 heading towards Highbridge & Burnham on sea
Travel through West Huntspill
At the roundabout take the 3rd exit (B3139)
Continue on this road for approximately 4 miles.
The Church is located on the right
From Highbridge & Burnham on sea
Head south-east on Burnham Rd/B3139
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Church St/A38
Continue to follow A38
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Bristol Rd/A38
Turn right onto Burnham Moor Ln
Burnham Moor Lane turns slightly left and becomes Pillmore Lane
Turn left to stay on Pillmore Lane
Slight left onto Mark Causeway/B3139
Continue to follow B3139
The Church will be on the right
We take safeguarding very seriously. If you have any concerns for a child or a vulnerable adult please contact our parish Safeguarding Officer or click on the following link to our central diocesan team Bath and Wells Reporting-Concerns-or-Abuse