st. mark’s rectory then…
St. Mark’s first official Rectory (or house where the Rector of the Parish lives) was built in 1953. The Vestry decided to build a house on the property because they were worried about the ongoing cost of paying rent for clergy housing in Palo Alto (some things never change)! Vestry minutes noted with concern that “adequate rental would cost in excess of $150 per month.” (Vestry Minutes, pg. 141). The “three bedroom, two bath plus study, garage and porch” ranch-style house cost $25,000 to build and was similar to the many houses built in South Palo Alto in the 1950’s. The house served as a home for St. Mark’s clergy and then eventually was used as the church office.
St. Mark’s first official Rectory (or house where the Rector of the Parish lives) was built in 1953. The Vestry decided to build a house on the property because they were worried about the ongoing cost of paying rent for clergy housing in Palo Alto (some things never change)! Vestry minutes noted with concern that “adequate rental would cost in excess of $150 per month.” (Vestry Minutes, pg. 141). The “three bedroom, two bath plus study, garage and porch” ranch-style house cost $25,000 to build and was similar to the many houses built in South Palo Alto in the 1950’s. The house served as a home for St. Mark’s clergy and then eventually was used as the church office.
The Rectory now
In 1992, the original Rectory was demolished and replaced by the current Rectory at the same time as the rest of the property was remodeled. The new Rectory sits at the exact same location as the original one. The house was designed and built at the same time (and by the same contractor) as the homes on Gaspar Court.
