WILMINGTON, N.C. — St. Mark's Episcopal Church, established in 1869 at 600 Grace St. in Wilmington, is the oldest African American Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Eastern North Carolina.

What You Need To Know

  • St. Mark's Episcopal Church was established in 1869 and is the oldest of its kind in the Eastern North Carolina Diocese
  • James Frink, a retired teacher, has played organ at St. Mark's for more than four decades
  • The church was built by the Black community

James Frink, 93, is a retired English and chorus teacher from South Brunswick High School.

The greater Wilmington area has always been his home, especially within the church.

“I'm inspired because I like the church. I like the way the church operates and so forth. And I'm particularly crazy about music. I like the music and I like the organ," Frink said. "And I've always wanted to play the organ."

Before he came to St. Mark's, he played organ at St. James AME Zion, a small church in Southport.

“I've been playing here for 43 years and I played for my (previous) church for 20. So I've been playing for about something like 60 years,” Frink said.

Moving from St. James to the much larger church of St. Mark’s was a big step for Frink, but one that he cherishes.

“I had to get used to a larger group of working, you know, a large group of people. But it was quite nice. I liked it,” Frink said.

St. Mark’s is especially inspirational because of its legacy in the Black community.

“The idea because this church was built for Black people, and it was built by Black people, and that is impressive for me,” he said.

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