Heritage Happy Hour – St. Mark’s

The Beaumont Heritage Society invites the community to Heritage Happy Hour, hosted at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Thursday, September 17, 2026. Join us for the evening to learn more local history, create connections, shop at The Treasure House, and finally get your hands on St. Mark’s secret chili spices! This special evening will offer guests the opportunity to enjoy complimentary beer and wine by Giglio Distributing, connect with fellow history enthusiasts, and explore one of Beaumont’s treasured historic landmarks.

Heritage Happy Hour is an ongoing series designed to showcase significant historic places throughout the community while supporting preservation efforts. St. Mark’s offers the community a chance to explore their history and impact on Beaumont and the larger Southeast Texas area. The church will be selling their famous frozen chili and giving away chili spice packets to the first 50 guests! The Treasure House will be open from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for guests to browse and shop for the perfect thrift experience.

Guests are welcome to come and go between 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., enjoy complimentary drinks, browse informational panels on the church’s history, chat with Father James, the reverend of the church, who will be available to answer questions, and explore different areas of the church including the nave (sanctuary), parish hall, and weather permitting, the Oak Garden. Proceeds from the event help support the Beaumont Heritage Society’s mission to preserve, promote, and celebrate the region’s historic resources. You can also stop by to purchase your copy of our exclusive Heritage Happy Hour watercolor prints!

About St. Mark’s: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, originally named the Mission of the Good Shepherd, held their first Holy Communion service in 1877. In 1880, the name was changed to St. Mark’s and services were held in Temperance Hall located on Pearl St. The following year, St. Mark’s purchased property on the corner of Orleans and Forsyth where a small wooden structure was built in 1899. The church was officially named a parish in 1898 and continued to grow. In 1913, they purchased the property where the church is today, 680 Calder Ave. Slowly, the congregation saw their parish house completed in 1915 and church completed in 1942. As a fundraiser for the parish, the St. Mark’s annual Chili Supper and Bazaar was established in 1941 and continues to this day. The construction was a great effort, but the parish’s growth did not stop there. The Sunday School building was completed in 1954, followed by the Gilbert Building and columbarium in 1998. The parish opened The Treasure House and chartered All Saints Episcopal School in 1956.

Event Details:

• St. Mark’s Episcopal Church – 680 Calder Ave, Beaumont, TX 77701
• September 17, 2026, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
• FREE for BHS Members; $10 for 21 and up, tickets sold at the door
• The Treasure House will be open 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (805 North St.), please check in at the church first
• St. Mark’s famous frozen chili for sale
• FREE chili spice packets to the first 50 guests
• Areas to view: the nave (sanctuary), the parish hall, and weather permitting, the Oak Garden

Heritage Happy Hour is an ongoing outreach program typically held every other month, with each event highlighting a historical landmark, time, exhibit, or organization, featuring complimentary craft beer provided by Giglio Distributing Co. (wine and non-alcoholic beverages also available). We believe that by promoting and sharing our local history and its historical significance in a fun and social way, we can also share and promote the efforts to preserve Beaumont’s historical landscape. Join the Beaumont Heritage Society today at beaumontheritage.org/membership and be a part of making a difference!

We are grateful to our Heritage Happy Hour sponsor, The Matthew Fischer Real Estate Team, for sponsoring this year’s events!