In 1950, Bishop McVinney instructed Father John C. Ells to build a church.  A new parish in the Cranston area was formed with a total of 325 families. Its boundaries include Howard Ave, New London Ave, Oaklawn Ave, Nowell Ave, Pontiac Ave and the Pawtuxet River.

The basement church and rectory were dedicated in January, 1952.  By 1957, the parish was growing quickly and plans were approved for a School and Convent.  Both buildings were dedicated in 1961.  The Sisters of Mercy moved into the Convent and taught at the school.

As times changed, the Sisters moved out of the Convent and our school regionalized.  The school, Cranston Johnston Catholic Regional School operates separately from the parish while the parish maintains ownership of the building.

In 1990, Fr. Heaney and the parishioners of St. Mark embarked on a major renovation of their basement church.  The center ceiling  and roof were removed -- a new, pitched roof with skylights and stained glass windows were added along with a brick courtyard -- giving the once basement church both dignity and beautiful worship space. 

In 2000, under the pastorship of Fr. Richard Donnelly, a new granite floor was installed in the nave of the church.

Fr. Anthony W.Verdelotti became our new pastor July of 2005.   Since his arrival, we have updated the  Rectory, Parish Center and a new Candle Room was added to the church.  We continue with a strong commitment to parish revitalization both in our buildings and our ministries.  

The Convent building, located at 31 Poplar Drive  is now our Parish Center. It is home to our parish offices as well as accommodating our CCD classes and various parish groups, meetings and functions.