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1837
Early History
The Rev. Algernon Hollister, then rector of St. John’s in nearby Troy, visited Pontiac. He saw the need for a mission to this village of 1,000 inhabitants. He was instrumental in founding the parish that was first called Zion Church. On Sunday, September 24, 1837, the first liturgy was celebrated at the new Zion Church with 16 persons receiving the Eucharist. At this time meetings were held in private homes. The Rev. Hollister later wrote: “I have seldom known a parish on its first organization so promising, and I trust in the Lord that before many years it may become an able and efficient parish.”
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1837
Beginnings
- Michigan becomes a state
- A section of land one and a half miles square was incorporated as the village of Pontiac
- The Parish of Zion Episcopal Church (later to be known as All Saints') was organized on September 24, 1837
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1841
First Zion church
The first Zion Church, a square frame building located on Pike Street (at the end of Exchange Street) was consecrated
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1857
Larger building
It was not long before a larger building was necessary. It was a beautiful brick edifice which stood on the spot that All Saints’ now stands. The spire shown was blown off during a bad wind storm in 1870’s. The tower was repaired but the spire never was replaced.
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1865 - 1891
Civil War era
The congregation and the nation rejoiced when the Civil War finally came to an end. Six rectors came and went during these years and for eight months in 1867, the church was closed completely.