The Church Building
"The first services of the Episcopal Church held in Whitman were conducted in several local homes by The Rev. George Alexander Strong, Rector of St. Paul's Church of Brockton, during the Lenton season of 1897. Rev. Mr. Strong discussed the plan of holding regular services and starting a Mission (under the auspices of St. Paul's). It was the Sunday before All Saints' Day, 1897 (Oct. 31) that the first regualr service was held in Jenkins' Block, and the date helped in deciding the name of All Saints' Mission." (from a History by Mary Kalor Hutchinson, 1910)
In 1905, the Mission came under the direct auspices of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.
In 1905, the Mission came under the direct auspices of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.
In October 1908, the first Parish meeting voted, "to purchase for $2000, property on the northerly side of Park Avenue from Clara M. Corthell." This land was occupied by an old machine shop. Mr. Clayton M. Legge, the first Vicar, was responsible for the drive to remodel the machine shop into a chapel. He then set about leading the members in fundraising for a new building. "The turning of the first sod for the new church cellar took place on the fifth Sunday in July 1910 (July 31)." (M. Hutchinson)
August 31, 1910
The cornerstone was laid by Bishop Lawrence, in an impressive service. The stone is engraved with a cross and "1910."
Another angle of the church building, probably circa early 1940's, before the adjoining Parish Hall was erected.
All Saints Parish, circa 1950 or so; perhaps 1954 when the Parish Hall construction began. The wooden cupola and cross were deemed to be hazardous, and removed on October 11, 1962. The cross was fashioned into many small crosses (by Herb Finegan, it is believed), of which one still remains in the possession of a long-time Parishioner.