All Saints Church Leadership
(as of January 1, 2010)
Father Joseph Moise, Supply Priest
Marva Griffith and Jennifer Kalb, Wardens
Valerie Gittens-Colder, Joyce Coultman, Joy DeLancy, Pamela Smith, Rosemarie Degazon-Smith, William Smith, Trevor Hinkson, Lena Mullings and Francis Arnold
Roger Castellani, Organist
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History of All Saints Church
(from the Bulletin for the 140th Anniversary Service, November 2007)
All Saints Episcopal Church, located at the corner of 7th Avenue and 7th Street in Park Slope, Brooklyn was founded in 1867.
On August 4, 1867 20 families celebrated the Holy Communion in the Military Hall, on Fifth Ave. at the corner of 9th Street, under the leadership of Arthur Sinclair, the first Warden. On September 16, 1867 members voted to incorporate the church as All Saints Episcopal Church, and elected a warden and vestry. On Christmas Day, 1867 the Reverend William D’Orville Doty was appointed the first Rector of All Saints. A earch committee was then elected to find a suitable spot for our church. After visits to several sites, a generous offer was given by Mr. Isaac Henderson, Esq. in April 1869 and the present property was purchased. In June, the red brick chapel on 7th Street (now occupied by a Seventh Day Adventist congregation) had begun; the cornerstone of this chapel was the first to be laid in the new diocese of Long Island and the first by Primal Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Abram Newkirk Little John D.D. Easter Sunday, April 17, 1870 was the opening of All Saints Chapel. The stained glass window in the current side chapel comes from the older building.
There were hardships in the early years but despite all that the church pressed on with the construction of the current edifice on 7th Avenue . In 1881, the West Aisle was built and, in the following year a corresponding East Aisle. In 1886, a Baptistery, Choir Room and Chancel stalls were erected and the front was extended toward 7th Avenue with three entrance doors and steps of brownstone. At a simple ceremony on April 12, 1992 , Master Melville Boyd, Jr, the Rector’s son, turned the first spade of earth and at 4 pm on Wednesday June 22, 1892 the cornerstone was laid by the Diocesan Bishop. The current church building, is yellow brick and terracotta Romanesque-Moorish basilica with two distinctive towers, a bright barrel vaulted interior with ornate terracotta detailing, and many stained glass windows, including one by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
The mortgage was burned on November 2, 1924 and the building was re-consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Frederick Burgess, D.D. As the years went by the church, rectory, undercroft and finally the parish hall and gymnasium were constructed. The church suffered a fire in 1976, which required the re- creation of some of the interior and east front, and replacement of much of the stained glass there. The current organ was also installed in the 1970s.
The current period in the life of All Saints Church began with the 28-year rectorship of the Reverend Elmore Leonard starting in 1965. During this time many new organizations and ministries were commenced in the church, including Sunday School and our intercessory prayer and worship ministries which continue to this day. The Park Slope Senior Center is a weekday tenant of our Undercroft and several community 12-step ministries meet in the Church. Fr. Lester’s retirement in 1993 was followed by two brief rectorships, of the Rev Dale Lumley and David Miracle alternating with Interim ministries, of the Rt. Rev. Theophilus Annobil and then of the Rev. Dr. Lloyd Henry and the Rev. James Manning. Currently the parish is served by a long-term supply priest, Fr. Joseph Moise.
The Saints of All Saints Church prayerfully anticipate a new chapter in the life of this Parish under the kingship of our Lord Jesus Christ.
