By Pat McCaughan
St. Mark’s Church and School members may have lost homes and buildings to the January 2025 Eaton Fire, but not their resiliency, vibrancy and strength, and remain “one of the most wonderful places in this diocese,” Bishop Antonio Gallardo Lucena said during an official visitation Sunday, September 20.
“If you didn’t know what they’ve been through you wouldn’t know it because here the presence of God is strong,” the bishop said. “The Spirit is strong. The community is strong. Faith and hope and striving together is what they are all about.
“Today we heard from the apostle Paul saying, ‘Live like you’re living the gospel on earth’. And that’s exactly what these people are doing. We invite you to come and feel the vibrancy of this place. It is one of the most wonderful places in this diocese, the one probably most affected by the fires.”
The Rev. Carri Patterson Grindon, St. Mark’s rector, told The Episcopal News: “It’s just a wonderful day. But I have to say, every Sunday is like this. I’m encouraged every single Sunday because we’re a community that has suffered tremendous loss through the Eaton Fire. And yet there is such a vitality and strength and resilience and, most deeply, love amongst our folks, in our worship and in our programs and all week long.
“We’re just delighted to have had this morning with the bishop and feel really blessed and honored to be part of this great community.”
Jennifer Tolbert, St. Mark’s school director agreed. “We are one community. Given all we’ve come through, we are ever mindful of that partnership and the importance of holding one another during this time.”
She added: “It was a joyful service today—a reminder that we are working in God’s vineyard together, arm in arm. That is, in fact, what has always been the case at St. Mark’s Church and School, and it was on full display today. I so love the spirit of this community. We have a fighting spirit. Despite what we’ve been through, we are still here. We are still standing, and still strong, and just pressing forward toward our exciting future.”
Tolbert and other faculty and staff, along with about 30 school families, lost homes in the fire, which destroyed nine buildings on the campus, including the church and the K-6 elementary school. A newly built preschool building was saved. The school established St. Mark’s Village and is meeting on the grounds of the EF Academy in Pasadena.
About one-third of church families lost homes and now worship at St. Barnabas in Eagle Rock, where Gallardo visited. Plans are underway to reopen both church and school in the fall of 2028. The community may contribute to those efforts by donating here.
“They’re looking forward—the distance, the geography has not separated them,” Gallardo said. “They remain united. So, pray for them so that the road ahead is smooth and guided by God.”
St. Mark’s member Elizabth Ann “Betty” Butler added: “I’m feeling very joyful today. I just celebrated my 90th birthday and this congregation was special, and it treated me like I was special. It helped me to realize that all these years I’ve survived by my faith and the support of the people who love me.
“I am so glad to be celebrating with the bishop today,” Butler said. “His joyful spirit has lifted mine, and I hope that he and I will be around a long time to celebrate the joy, the specialness of our faith, and to be a support to the generations that come behind us to know that we can have tragedy, but we will survive, and be joyful, and regroup, and be better than ever.”