St. Mark's was once called Beaverdam Lutheran. On May 10, 1856, the Congregation decided to build a new church about a mile west from the old one, and land was secured at the new site. This structure was a frame building 35 x 45 feet in dimensions. The new building was completed and dedicated May 8, 1858, and the name was changed from Beaver Dam Lutheran Church to SL Mark's Lutheran Church. The Rev. J.R- Peterson was the pastor during that time. A chip of stone from one of the rocks used in the foundation of the original log church on Beaver Dam Creek was placed in the cornerstone of the new church.

St. Mark's - Mother Church of Others in ihe Area

For the 134 years of its life as St. Mark's Lutheran Church, the congregation has grown and has prospered in its ministry to people in this entire area. Indeed, St. Mark's is the "Mother Church" that has nurtured the development of other Lutheran Congregations in this and in neighboring counties.

The Rev. Jesse R. Peterson, who had led the congregation in its relocation and name change in 1858, later became the organizing pastor of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Kings Mountain in 1876. Most of the charter members came from St. Mark's Congregation.

THe 10th pastor of St. Mark's, the Rev. Marcus L. Little, was the organizing pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in Cherryville in 1881, with many members coming from St. Mark's Congregation.

So, members of St. Mark's Church shared significant roles in the development of these two congregations-and of many other congregations in Gaston, Cleveland, and Lincoln Counties. Members of the Eaker, Carpenter, Aderholdt Mauney and other families have gone out from Beaver Dam/St. Mark's Congregation to share in the work of building the Kingdom of God in Lutheran and other Christian churches.

There are a number of Beams, families of John Teeter Beam. John Teeter's son & family are buried at the Beaver Dam site (origin of Saint Marks). Also in Saint Marks Church are 2 former pastors: Rev F. M. Speagle and Rev O. M. Aderholt.