In the eight years he had lived in Málaga before his appointment as Consul, he had looked "with great disgust" on the way Protestants had to be buried on the sea shore at dead of night, because those who professed a creed other than Catholicism could not be buried in consecrated ground, namely in the parish churches, monasteries and cemeteries of Málaga.

Due to his persistent efforts, Mark was finally given permission to create a permanent cemetery on the Vélez road outside the walls of the city, thanks to the Royal Order of Ferdinand VII, issued on 11 April 1830.

With its fine Doric columns, this structure was adapted and enlarged in 1890–91 to become the present St George's Anglican Church.

After several years' work, formal registration of the English Cemetery in Málaga Foundation was granted on 13 July 2010.

Its Board comprises three Spaniards, three Britons, one German and one Italian, and includes three members of St George's Church.