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Welcome to All Saints' Episcopal Church, where our hearts and our doors are open to you! Our guests and visitors will notice right away that we are a very friendly and inviting community. We want newcomers to feel comfortable and right at home. If you're looking simply to blend in, to check things out, and to get to know us at your own pace, please feel free. You won't find high pressure salesmanship here! When you are ready to get connected with our many ministries and programs, we are always delighted to help you find your way. We invite you to participate in whatever level makes you comfortable! Whether you're just starting to ask questions about God, or you're a committed Christian who wants to delve deeper into a relationship with Christ, there's a place for you at All Saints'. We are a growing church, and we seek to be the kind of faith community described in the Bible, created by Jesus Himself: a place with a radical welcome for all people, teaching and preaching that applies to daily living in the real world, inspiring worship, close-knit friendships, constant prayer, and a true heart for the poor and the outcast. You'll find that this is a place where you really matter; because you matter to God. If there's any way we can make you feel more at home, please do not hesitate to let any member of our community know. Michael Geiger |
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“All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ Himself.” --St. Benedict Our faith community is an eclectic, happy mix of people with differing backgrounds and perspectives, united together in a common love of God and a love for our neighbors. Chances are, there's someone like you at All Saints'. We are single, married with kids, divorced, remarried, gay and lesbian, empty nesters, widowed, old, young, you name it. All people of all backgrounds, races, abilities, and beliefs are part of the All Saints' family. And our radical welcome doesn't end at the door. All persons are welcome to receive the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Holy Baptism at All Saints', not just Episcopalians |
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All Saints' is a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, part of the broader Episcopal Church, a branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion. As Episcopalians, we believe in a Trinitarian God, which means one God of creation (Father), redemption (Son), and constant presence and love (Holy Spirit). We believe that the church is Christ living and visible in the world. This does not mean that any group is perfect. In fact, belonging to a church is an exercise in patience, forbearance, and love. But at every baptism, all who are present are asked to renew their own baptismal promises. One of the questions they are asked is "Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers?" We believe that we are called to continue practices that date back to Jesus’ time, including prayer and the celebration of the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion). Our beliefs can be summed up in two creeds, one of which we recite in every public worship service: The Nicene Creed and The Apostles’ Creed, both found in The Book of Common Prayer (1979). (Note that the word "catholic" in these creeds refers not to the Roman Catholic Church, but to the universal church of the Lord Jesus Christ.) |
The Nicene Creed The Nicene Creed is the most universally accepted profession of the Christian Faith. It was adopted (in a slightly different version) by the Church Council at Nicaea in AD 325 and further revised to its present form by the Council at Chalcedon in AD 451. It has remained in use since that time and is an essential part of the belief and worship of the Episcopal Church. We believe in one God, We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, |
The Apostles’ Creed The Apostles’ Creed is the basic creed of Reformed churches, as they are most familiarly known, of which The Episcopal Church is one. Dating back a half-century or so from the last writings of the New Testament, it has as the authors of its earliest version the twelve disciples or “apostles” of Jesus. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, For more information on our beliefs, please see the Catechism of the Episcopal Church |
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Clergy of All Saints' Church 1913 - 2008 1913-1915 |
Meanwhile, the Rev. Philip Pearson of Christ Church, Ridgewood, became interested in starting a Mission here, began working with a group of Glen Rockers, and preached the first sermon to the new group on December 21, 1913. The new congregation applied for, and was granted, the status of a Mission by Bishop Edwin S. Lines, on February 17th, 1914. Bishop Ware suggested the name All Saints, which was chosen as the most appropriate of several submitted by parishioners. During the first several months, students of the General Theological Seminary in New York served the little Mission on Sundays. In June 1915, the Diocese assigned to the Mission its first resident minister, the Rev. Fredrick J. Buttery, then a Deacon. The triangular plot on which the present church stands is surrounded by Carlton Place, Central Avenue and Berkeley Place was purchased for $1,200 in March 1917 during Mr. Armstrong's ministry. Construction of the original Sanctuary was started early in 1919. Appropriately, it was on All Saints' Day 1919 that the first major milestone in the history of the young church took place. That was the dedication of the new building under the leadership of Rev. Hugh W. Dickinson. In 1922, the Reverend John E. Bailey, Assistant Minister of St. James Church, Milwaukee, accepted a call to All Saints' Church on a "six month trial basis". His ministry was to shepherd the Church during its growing years into a full parish status began on September 1, 1922. All Saints' formally became a Parish on April 9th, 1939. However, it suffered a severe setback a little more than a year later on May 4, 1940 when a fire of undetermined origin caused extensive damage to the east end of the Church and the basement. Some interior re-decoration was required with replacement of the heating plant and plumbing and a completely new kitchen. The nearby Community Church graciously offered the temporary use of its facilities, and 8 o'clock Sunday services were conducted there through November 1940. By 1956, participation by children in the Church School and by parents in the Family Service had increased to such an extent that the Church and Parish Hall could no longer accommodate the members. Arrangements were made with the Glen Rock's Board of Education to move these services to the Coleman Elementary School and later, when they became available, the facilities of Central School on Maple Avenue nearer the Church were used for this purpose. In the same year, Mr. Bailey brought to an end his long and faithful career as a parish priest. A memorable farewell reception attended by more than three hundred members of the Parish marked the leave-taking of Mr. Bailey who became Rector Emeritus. Called as his successor was the Rev. Ivan H. Partridge, who came to Glen Rock with his wife the former Jean MacGregor and their son Peter from St. Luke's Church, Montclair, New Jersey where he had served as Curate. By 1956, plans were beginning to take shape for the erection of a new sanctuary capable of accommodating fully the needs of a Parish that had grown from a half-dozen families to upwards of four hundred communicants. In 1958, All Saints' largest capital improvement fund-raising campaign got under way with the need set at $265,000. The laying of the corner stone of the new Church and Parish Hall took place in December of 1960. Bishop Leland Stark officially opened the Church on October 8, 1961. The remarkable growth of the Parish through the building years, and into the middle nineteen-sixties was concomitant with the growth of its organizations and with the growth of the Glen Rock area as a bedroom community for New York City. The second half of the nineteen sixties also brought change for All Saints'. Glen Rock experienced a major population change, having its impetus in large migrations of southern farm workers to nearby cities. As Glen Rock changed its predominantly Protestant character, All Saints' experienced changes, as well, including a decline in our once booming attendance. However, the resolve of All Saints' people and clergy remained strong through the 1970s. The Church continued to provide strong preaching, worship, and excellent music, especially under the leadership of The Rev. Dale L. Cranston, curate and director of music. In the 1980s, the Parish bid farewell to Father Partridge after his 32 years of able leadership throughout much change in both society and in the Episcopal Church. All Saints' was led through the 1990s by three priests--The Rev. Kim F. Capwell, The Rev. Ashley C. Neal, and The Rev. Victoria Geer McGrath. Each brought about a fruitful era of ministry. During this time, our Preschool Ministry began to flourish, offering a creative and fun setting for children ages six weeks to twelve years to learn, play, grow, and study. Our ministries to Glen Rock continued, and the parish experienced remarkable lay leadership during several interim periods between priests. In 2003, The Reverend Gray Lesesne became the Fifth Rector of All Saints' Church. Working with the lay leadership of the parish, Father Lesesne and the Vestry have set a bold new course for All Saints'--to be a place where such a radical welcome is offered, that our members and newcomers grow in our relationships with God and with each other. We invite you to become a part of our history as we grow together! |
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All Saints' Church, the second church to be founded in Glen Rock, had its beginning in 1913 from twin roots. A small group of persons living near the Rock, with bonds of friendship and ties to the Episcopal Church, met regularly, held informal services and, with the permission of the Diocese, started a Church School in September 1913 at Smith-Singer Hall, just beside the current location of the Glen Rock's Main Line railroad tracks. Robert L. Ware was the first Church School Superintendent and teacher, with an initial class of six young people.