The Very Rev. George D. Smith
The Rev. George D. Smith’s first Sunday as Rector of St. Mark’s was February 26, 2006. Fr. Smith holds a BA in Economics from Wesleyan University and an MBA from Northwestern University. He had a career in business before completing his Master of Divinity studies at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary and being ordained an Episcopal priest in 2003. He and his wife, Cecilia, have three grown children. George’s hobbies include guitar, gardening and running; in November 2016 he completed his 17th marathon. He learned to speak Finnish while on an exchange program after college and now speaks fluent Spanish thanks to St. Mark’s being a bilingual parish.
George says, “I am through and through an Episcopalian, having worshipped from the Book of Common Prayer my entire life. I appreciate the spectrum of worship that I have found in the Diocese of Chicago, including Morning Prayer “low” and bells and incense “high.” At St. Mark’s, my goal has been to offer and lead worship that is liturgical and welcoming. St. Mark’s has a multicultural, intergenerational membership where all ages are present and feel comfortable in worship.”
He adds, “St. Mark’s was a turn-around parish in 2006, divided by a split in 2004 and with a $3 million debt load. Over the past twelve years, St. Mark’s has recovered and grown in new, wonderful and unexpected ways. I am proud of this community for launching a preschool in 2010 and starting a service in Spanish in 2011. St. Mark’s is a vibrant, seven-day- a-week church. Come and see! Bienvenido / welcome!”