Saint Mark’s Church and School in Altadena begins process to rebuild after Eaton fire

Saint Mark’s Church and School in Altadena announced Wednesday that it has begun the formal application process with Los Angeles County to rebuild its campus, marking a major milestone in its recovery from the Eaton fire.

The application, submitted through the county’s Disaster Recovery Permit process, begins the formal review for reconstruction of the church and school campus, which has served the Altadena community for generations, according to church officials.

The proposed project would restore and modernize the campus while incorporating enhanced fire-resilient design, sustainability features, improved emergency access and updated facilities, officials said. The project would not increase school enrollment, and officials said they hope to reopen the campus in fall 2028.

“This submission represents far more than a planning milestone,” Saint Mark’s School Head Jennifer Tolbert said in a statement. “It represents the resilience of our students, families, faculty, parishioners, and neighbors who have carried this community forward through an incredibly difficult year.”

Church officials said the proposal will move through Los Angeles County’s public review process over the coming months, including community outreach, public hearings and opportunities for public comment.

“From the days immediately following the fire, our community has demonstrated extraordinary faith, perseverance, and hope,” Rector Carri Patterson Grindon said. “While we mourn what was lost, this project reflects our commitment to creating a place where children can learn, families can gather, and our congregation can continue serving Altadena for generations to come.”

Saint Mark’s plans to host a community town hall later this summer to present campus designs and provide updates on the county review and permitting process.