he Municipality of Port Hope has over 200 designated properties and is recognized as an outstanding example of heritage preservation.

In 1967, during Canada's centennial year, a new era in heritage conservation was established. Centennial civic improvement projects were started across Canada including museums, sports complexes, town hall restorations and more. Communities across the province were also encouraged to celebrate their unique built heritage. The federal government encouraged communities to document their architecturally significant buildings in an inventory. The Ontario Heritage Trust was established and continues to be responsible for identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting built heritage across the province through the Ontario Heritage Act.

In Port Hope, the first designated property was registered almost 30 years ago on February 6th, 1978. St. Mark's Church, circa 1822 (modified 1842, 1851 and 1895) was the first building designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. The oldest of Port Hope's churches and the second oldest building standing in Port Hope, St. Mark's is a small, beautiful landmark.

Originally dedicated to St. John, it is the older Anglican Church of Port Hope. Elias Smith, the founder of Port Hope, was largely responsible for the establishment of St. Mark's and donated the land on which it was built in 1822. Consecrated in 1828, the church had a neo-classical design with square-headed windows and tower with octagon lantern, and can be clearly identified on the 1837 Bartlett view of the town.

By 1842, the congregation had grown and more space was needed, thus the church was enlarged with galleries erected on three sides of the nave increasing the seating capacity. In 1851, the chancel and transepts were added, and the church was Gothicized with twin lancet windows under the guidance of Kivas Tully with William Garnett as contractor. Further minor changes have occurred over the years. The lancet diamond pane-windows in clear glass are notable, with one stained glass installation. When the congregation moved to a new building on the other side of the river in 1869, the name St. John's was given to the new church. The firm Gundry and Langley designed the new brick St. John's after successfully completing the First Baptist Church on John Street in 1867 (57 John Street) . In 1873, the firm Langley, Langley and Burke designed the St. John's School.

Abandoned for a time, the beloved old church was reopened as a separate parish after devoted parishioners challenged its demise. The church was reopened in 1873 now dedicated to St. Mark's. The 1950 triptych by Sylvia Hahn was a gift of the Massey family who adopted this church, and in 1959 H. M. Queen Elizabeth II attended divine service. The cemetery is worth a stroll, the graves of many of the town's forefathers being visible. The Smith family plot is here, as is the grave of Governor-general Vincent Massey. In 1991, the two smaller doors flanking the main entrance were uncovered during restoration. The doors had been covered during renovations in the late 1890's. The recent interior redecoration to commemorate the 175th Anniversary builds upon the work of the late B. Napier Simpson Jr., who designed the colour scheme to the hue of blue. The fine English organ was donated in 1852, and is one of the few examples in Canada.