Now open to the public is a self-guided walking tour of the church with a full-color, detailed booklet containing the history of the building itself and landmarks within the building.

Harwood said the walking tour idea was started when the church’s 130-year-old stained-glass windows were restored.

“Working with Epiphany Studios in Virginia, we were simply astonished by how vibrant and rich the colors were. But what do the symbols mean? What story are the windows telling us? What is the significance of other aspects of our church’s architecture?” he said.

Zwifca, a previous priest, began the historical documentation with a short brochure, but Harwood wanted to expand on the church’s story.

Submitted photo
This is a Tiffany glass window with 3-dimensional effects to enhance the flowing robes and angel wings. This is a dedication to St. Paul’s second letter to Timothy, saying, ‘I have fought the good fight.’

“We’ve also added some details about the origins of the church in 1823,” he said. “The current building is not the first church or the second. That’s part of our history, too.”

Beginning at the baptismal font, established in 1824, walkers have the opportunity to view each piece of history and learn about its past and its connection to the church.

There are 19 stations of the self-guided tour, and they include the story of each window’s picture, an organ, lectern, pulpit and more.

“We organized the guide as though we were walking through the church and stopping by each window, the altar, the pulpit and the spectacular baptismal font,” Harwood said.

Through his research, Harwood discovered facts of the church that surprised him.

“Only the baptismal font and a small part of our altar are from the original church. I was astonished to learn the history of the buildings — the huge changes in style as the Episcopal Church adapted to ‘modern times.’ The first church, for instance, had no stained-glass windows,” he said.

The church is brimming with history and Harwood welcomes everyone from the community to share in its beauty.

The brochure does offer a disclaimer: “St. Mark’s is not a museum. … As you walk through it, feel the presence of the men and women who have served God and their neighbors for two centuries. This is holy ground.”

To get a taste of what the walking tour offers, visit www.stmark-lewistown.org.

Harwood said an open house is in the planning stages, and should occur when the weather is warmer.

Another opportunity to visit St. Mark’s and hear music is 7 p.m. April 3, when the church will host a Celtic revival music group, the Sky Family.

For more information, visit the St. Mark’s website, listed above, or call the church at (717) 248-8327.