During those critical years of relocation the congregation also lost a superintendent of a Sunday School department and “many outstanding members of the teaching force,” according to Pastor Crowell.

The first mention of a Sunday school in the historical sources was in 1854 — six years after the founding of the church.  It is probable that Sunday school was organized soon after the church was chartered.  As a denomination, Lutherans have always valued education’s role in developing a firm faith.  Luther’s catechism and his interest in providing Scripture in the language of the people set the example for those who came to Christ through Lutheranism.  During the years in old Osborn when the Lutherans shared the same building with the Unionists there is mention that the Sunday school was a joint venture with both groups cooperating and meeting together.  Through the years many persons affiliated with this congregation have expended thought, time, and effort as volunteers to maintain cradle to grave opportunities for learning more about the Bible, denominational history, and Christian perspectives on social issues.

Sunday school enrollment and attendance has fluctuated in proportion to the size and age of the congregation.  The largest Sunday school enrollments apparently took place following World War II when the employment needs of Wright and Patterson fields created a large influx of population to Fairfield-Osborn (which became Fairborn in 1950). In 1948 the congregation boasted a Sunday school enrollment of 267 including the nursery roll.  To help with the demands of such a large educational effort, the church council hired Eugenia Hilbrink in the fall of 1952 as parish worker with responsibility to assist Pastor John Meister with the Sunday school, the youth programs, and the secretarial duties.  Mrs. Hilbrink left at the start of 1954 to have her first child.  Sara Gohlke was hired shortly after as Christian Education Director.  Among her efforts was a week day school for fifth and sixth graders, there were about 12 students involved for one school year.

The Sunday school grew so much that in the early 1950s it was difficult to find suitable spaces for all the classes and teachers.  In 1953, plans were made to build a parish education addition to provide room for staff offices, the choir, and church school classes.  In 1955 when the communing membership had reached 347, the construction started on the educational wing.  Cost of the addition was $122,000.  It was dedicated and in use by early 1956.

In 1967 the church council with its parish Education committee, took control of the educational efforts of the church.   Up to then the Sunday school had been an autonomous group with its own officers, offerings, and bank account.  After a new constitution was written and approved by council, the men encouraged the Sunday school to use its $800 balance to purchase educational equipment such as chalk boards and film strip projectors.

Today, the Sunday school youth attendance is at a low ebb.  Sunday school superintendent Andrea Gasho works diligently both to maintain the organization and to provide instruction for the children who do attend.

St. Mark’s did not provide specific catechetical instruction until 1901 under the Rev. Robert Patterson.  In 1948 Pastor John Meister expanded the confirmation preparation to a two year course of study.

Vacation Bible school is a two week program each summer that provides a more intensive, daily schedule of lessons, crafts, and recreation to children of the church and community.  It appears to have begun at St. Mark’s in the early 1940s.  In recent years when the child population has been low, the school has been a cooperative effort with Abiding Christ Lutheran Church.

Adult classes, both during the Sunday school hour and on weekday nights, have waxed and waned throughout the years.  At some junctures there have been several groups going at once.  Martha Shade, Duane Kinnison, and Ed Huber have been among the teachers.

Lamp Lighters was the name of the first acolyte organization which was originally established in 1954 for boys 9-15 years of age, during John Meister’s pastorate.  For many years the group had officers, formal meetings, and social events, but the essential ingredient was learning respect for the chancel, its equipment, and the customs pertaining to lighting and extinguishing the altar candles and to the handling of the offering basins.  Girls were accepted into this service in the late 1980s.  The Acolytes and Arch Acolytes now meet only occasionally and refer to themselves as the Acolytes.