Saint Mark's Church — Local services in Philadelphia

I would like to respond to the reviewer named Kathy who had a negative experience with her wedding at Saint Mark's, something I was sorry to hear about.

The reason I do so is because it is publicly available information that I am now the "choir director" (technically, organist & choirmaster), and several people reading her review told me they'd believed me to be the one mentioned. I think that Kathy's wedding at Saint Mark's was before my time, because I do not have in my files (beginning in 2016) a member of a couple to be married with that name.

First, while I do not speak for the church as a whole, the costs of weddings to non-members are for more than the staff's time and talent, or the cost of operating this historic building (which is very expensive, and it must be kept in good condition in order to stay open for weddings). These contributions help the church sustain its ministries, including feeding the hungry and homeless at least 5 days week. The money is not lining anyone's pockets.

Second, our briefest form of marriage is about a half an hour. 20 minute ceremonies are not possible. And each of our priests spend hours in preparation with each couple to be married.

Finally, we are always happy to engage singers. Each wedding is a liturgy of the church, and it is my/our job to help couples choose music from the Christian tradition that is appropriate for a church wedding. We also have singers on our payroll for whom wedding income is an important and needed part of their annual livelihood.

I am sorry that Kathy didn't have a positive experience, and I hope that she and her family are doing well. Their presence for their wedding enriched our community, and their financial contributions helped sustain our ministries, which are very much needed by the people of...

WAY TOO EXPENSIVE!!! Our 20 minute wedding service cost almost $4000 in fees to the church and personnel. We didn't even get a singer because the choir director was a prima donna about singers and songs. He was a real pain to work with; the priest acknowledged this but refused to ask him to be reasonable. Overall a very disappointing experience. Luckily the rest of the day and all our other plans were perfect! Try...

Attending for long time. Neighborhood group of members , a private school from a tough neighborhood with a two hundred year old church, St. James in mt. Laural cemetery is trip to old England. Generations of families have attended. Outreach programs are very good and getting better. Church of England Anglican, most people think its catholic Close but not quite. BTW the Washington DC cathedral...