All Saints Episcopal Church (Appleton, Wisconsin)

All Saints Episcopal Church is a historic Episcopal church in Appleton, Wisconsin. A parish in the Diocese of Fond du Lac, it is the only Episcopal church in Appleton. The congregation first met circa 1854 and organized in 1856.^[1] The current church building was consecrated in 1905.

History

Missionary bishop Jackson Kemper held the first Episcopal service in Appleton in "1854 or 1855".^[1] The parish was organized in 1856, and originally named Grace Episcopal Church. The first church building's cornerstone was laid by Bishop Kemper in 1864 and was completed in 1866. The wooden structure cost $6,000 and was located at Appleton and Edwards (now Washington) streets. In 1883, the original building was moved to the current church site at College Avenue and Drew Street, adjacent to Lawrence University.

In 1905, that building was moved across the street while the current church building was constructed on the site. In 1905, the name of the parish was changed to All Saints Episcopal Church. An estimated 1,500 to 2,000 people attended the cornerstone-laying service, presided over by Bishop Charles Chapman Grafton, on October 1, 1905. The first service in the completed building was celebrated on Easter Sunday, April 15, 1906. Bishop Reginald Heber Weller preached; the Rev. S. P. Delany was rector.

At 3:50 a.m., November 30, 1949, a taxi driver reported that a fire had broken out at All Saints. The fire started in the basement and burned through the floor, causing the altar to fall into the basement and charring the rest of the interior of the church. The altar, which was fairly new, the reredos, the organ, the carved choir stalls, a Tiffany window, and the bishop's chair were destroyed, but the baptistry was spared. Vestments and other fabrics were smoke-damaged. The total loss was estimated at $75,000. The interior of the church dates from 1950, rebuilt after the fire. Bishop Harwood Sturtevant officially rededicated All Saints with special services featuring a new organ on All Saints Sunday 1952.^[2]

In 1959, building plans for the parish center were approved, and the rectory and neighboring house on the corner were torn down. Construction began in 1960 and was completed in January 1961. Parish "work parties" painted and did other finishing work. The dedication of the parish center was on April 30, 1961.

People and Community

All Saints is a vibrant worshipping community with activities including Sunday School, adult education, youth group, music ministry, pastoral care and a parish nursing program. Parish-organized outreach efforts see many many parishioners devote time and other forms of assistance to various local charitable organizations including Emergency Shelter of the Fox Valley, Harbor House Domestic Abuse Shelter and Leaven.

All Saints also holds several large ingatherings each year to support these organizations. The Outreach Committee, based on determination of need, directs the ingatherings.

With its central, downtown location, the building is used by many community groups including Attic Theatre, events for Lawrence University and many meetings of the Diocese of Fond du Lac.

References

External links

• Official Website
• Diocese of Fond du Lac
• The Episcopal Church
• The Anglican Communion