[3] The building now houses the Madikeri Fort Museum, managed by the Karnataka State Archaeological Department.

[4] Coorg had been an independent Hindu Kingdom for many centuries, until the invasion of Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan in 1765, resulting in large scale devastation, forcible conversion to Islam and incarceration of thousands of Kodava people at Seringapatam.

Following annexation, a regiment of the Madras Army and British civil servants were stationed in Coorg.

[1][5] The first church services for the officers and men at the Coorg Station were conducted in the Regimental Mess of the Madras Army.

[1] In 1847, a request was made to the Government of Madras, to fund the building of a small church at a cost of BINR 2000, which was approved by the directors of the East India Company.

[1] The church at Mercara, Coorg was consecrated on 19 April 1859, by Bishop Dealtry and named after Saint Mark the Evangelist.

The stained glass on the west window, depicting 'Lord as the Good Shephard' was raised in memory of Rev A Fenell (died 1897).

[1] The building of the St. Mark's Church, now holds a museum of artefacts and memorabilia from the British period, Hindu and Jain sculptures, village deities and antique weapons.