St. Mark's Episcopal Church (Shreveport, Louisiana)

The Church of the Holy Cross (Episcopal), which housed St. Mark's until 1954, is a historic church at 875 Cotton Street in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States. The first services of the Episcopal church in Shreveport were celebrated by the Rt. Rev. Leonidas Polk, the Bishop of Louisiana in March 1839. That liturgy is considered the founding day of St. Mark's Church.[2] Prior to this church building, the church was located on Fannin Street. St. Mark's moved into a new church building at Fairfield Avenue and Rutherford Street in 1954. That church became the cathedral of the Diocese of Western Louisiana on July 7, 1990.[3][4]

The Church of the Holy Cross (Episcopal)
The Church of the Holy Cross as seen in winter
Location in Shreveport
Location in Louisiana
Location in United States
Location875 Cotton Street
Shreveport, Louisiana
Coordinates32°30′25″N 93°45′05″W
Arealess than one acre
Built1905
ArchitectC.W. Bulger
Architectural styleLate Gothic Revival
Part ofShreveport Commercial Historic District (ID82002760)
NRHP reference No.91000700[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJune 11, 1991
Designated CPMay 16, 1997

Holy Cross was formed because a group of Episcopalians from St. Mark's felt that the Church should maintain a presence in the inner city. It owns and operates a number of ministries around Shreveport, but most notably it runs Holy Cross Hope House. Hope House is a day shelter down the street for homeless people.

Holy Cross is also known for its progressive attitude toward social issues. It is one of the few churches in North Louisiana that will marry gay couples. It is also known for its traditional worship style, it has an E.M. Skinner organ built in 1920.

The current rector is the Reverend Garrett Boyte, M.Div.

Holy Cross has been served by the Reverend Mary Richard (2008-2019), and the Reverend Kenneth W. Paul (1968-2008).

The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.[1] It also became a contributing property of Shreveport Commercial Historic District when its boundaries were increased on May 16, 1997.[5]

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. Brock, Eric J. (2005). Shreveport in Vintage Postcards. Google Books. ISBN 9780738517469. Retrieved 2014-01-19.
  3. "Western Louisiana, Diocese of". Episcopal Church. Retrieved 2014-01-19.
  4. National Register Staff (February 1991). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: St. Mark's Episcopal Church". National Park Service. Retrieved April 13, 2018. With six photos from 1991.
  5. "Shreveport Commercial Historic District" (PDF). State of Louisiana's Division of Historic Preservation. Retrieved April 16, 2018.


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