Click on photos
Early History
In 1837, 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.”
|
Highlights of the All Saints' Timeline
1837 - Three major events
1841
The first Zion Church, a square frame building located on Pike Street (at the end of Exchange Street) was consecrated.
1857
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.
1865/1881
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.
1904
The name of the church was changed from Zion Episcopal Church to All Saints’ Episcopal Church.
1905
In September a fire completely destroyed the 1857 church. This building was completely razed and the cornerstone from the 1857 building was found to be in perfect condition.
1914
In 1914 the “new” rectory at 167 West Pike Street was built at a cost of $6800. This house was used as the Rectory of All Saints’ until 1953.
1922-1945
The Rev. Bates G. Burt and family moved into the Rectory next to All Saints’ in 1922. The Rev. Burt and Wihla Hutson (the church choir director and organist) are well known for writing the famous “Burt Christmas Carols.” The original carol was written as the creation of a Christmas card that the Burt family sent to parishioners and friends. Al Burt, the son of the Rev. Burt, continued the tradition of the family until his death. The carols continue today in the repertoire of countless church choirs and have been recorded by a number of famous singers.
The tenure of The Rev. Bates Burt is known as the beginning of the All Saints’ legacy of fine music.
1927
Stevens Hall was built to provide: “Give Old and Young a Center of Community,” “Sunday School for 500 to 600 children,” and “The Social Needs of Pontiac”.
1948
On the Tuesday after Christmas 1948 a fire ravaged the Church. Except for smoke damage, Stevens Hall and the Rectory were unharmed. The present church was completed in 1950.
1953 - 1973
The Rev. George Widdifield led the congregation for a 20 year period beginning in 1953, certainly a time of great Social Changes. In Pontiac, during the later part of his tenure, Mandatory School Integration began and the city government enacted the Fair Housing Covenant. Many of the city’s mainline congregations began to relocate out of the city. All Saints’ determined that we would remain in Pontiac as a witness to our commitment to social justice. In our present time, we think it more important than ever that we are still in this place, dedicated to the community where God first set us.
1994
Bound Together was formed as a volunteer-based tutoring program serving children enrolled in Pontiac schools. The non-profit program offers remedial instruction that concentrates on the area of math, reading and writing skills. Founded in 1994 by retired teachers who were members of All Saints’, the program is still houses in our church and draws volunteers from all over Oakland County. The students also receive a hot meal after tutoring is over thanks to the efforts of parishioners from St. Philips’ Episcopal Church in Rochester.
2000 -2007
All Saints’ Church became a universally accessible building with ramp access to the sanctuary and parish hall, elevator access to all floors, front pews with space for wheelchairs.
2009
The Rev. Cate Waynick, former Rector of All Saints', was elected bishop of the Diocese of Indianapolis.
2009 TO PRESENT DAY
We have expanded our ministry to meet the needs of our community by opening The Old Rectory Resale Shop, offering a free breakfast on Saturday mornings and a produce market with fresh fruits and vegetable.
- Michigan became 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.
1841
The first Zion Church, a square frame building located on Pike Street (at the end of Exchange Street) was consecrated.
1857
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.
1865/1881
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.
1904
The name of the church was changed from Zion Episcopal Church to All Saints’ Episcopal Church.
1905
In September a fire completely destroyed the 1857 church. This building was completely razed and the cornerstone from the 1857 building was found to be in perfect condition.
1914
In 1914 the “new” rectory at 167 West Pike Street was built at a cost of $6800. This house was used as the Rectory of All Saints’ until 1953.
1922-1945
The Rev. Bates G. Burt and family moved into the Rectory next to All Saints’ in 1922. The Rev. Burt and Wihla Hutson (the church choir director and organist) are well known for writing the famous “Burt Christmas Carols.” The original carol was written as the creation of a Christmas card that the Burt family sent to parishioners and friends. Al Burt, the son of the Rev. Burt, continued the tradition of the family until his death. The carols continue today in the repertoire of countless church choirs and have been recorded by a number of famous singers.
The tenure of The Rev. Bates Burt is known as the beginning of the All Saints’ legacy of fine music.
1927
Stevens Hall was built to provide: “Give Old and Young a Center of Community,” “Sunday School for 500 to 600 children,” and “The Social Needs of Pontiac”.
1948
On the Tuesday after Christmas 1948 a fire ravaged the Church. Except for smoke damage, Stevens Hall and the Rectory were unharmed. The present church was completed in 1950.
1953 - 1973
The Rev. George Widdifield led the congregation for a 20 year period beginning in 1953, certainly a time of great Social Changes. In Pontiac, during the later part of his tenure, Mandatory School Integration began and the city government enacted the Fair Housing Covenant. Many of the city’s mainline congregations began to relocate out of the city. All Saints’ determined that we would remain in Pontiac as a witness to our commitment to social justice. In our present time, we think it more important than ever that we are still in this place, dedicated to the community where God first set us.
1994
Bound Together was formed as a volunteer-based tutoring program serving children enrolled in Pontiac schools. The non-profit program offers remedial instruction that concentrates on the area of math, reading and writing skills. Founded in 1994 by retired teachers who were members of All Saints’, the program is still houses in our church and draws volunteers from all over Oakland County. The students also receive a hot meal after tutoring is over thanks to the efforts of parishioners from St. Philips’ Episcopal Church in Rochester.
2000 -2007
All Saints’ Church became a universally accessible building with ramp access to the sanctuary and parish hall, elevator access to all floors, front pews with space for wheelchairs.
2009
The Rev. Cate Waynick, former Rector of All Saints', was elected bishop of the Diocese of Indianapolis.
2009 TO PRESENT DAY
We have expanded our ministry to meet the needs of our community by opening The Old Rectory Resale Shop, offering a free breakfast on Saturday mornings and a produce market with fresh fruits and vegetable.
Archives
Through the years, All Saints’ has been blessed with people who have meticulously maintained records, documented events and cataloged original source materials to preserve the history of our parish. Since we are the first Episcopal Church in Oakland County and the mother church of several parishes, our history serves as a resource for them and for the Diocese of Michigan. Recently our archivist, Carolyn Hubbard, devoted four years to reorganize the entire archives. We are pleased to say that we have the names and corresponding dates of every member who ever served on the vestry in our 175+ history!
|