ALL SAINT'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
"The fastest growing Episcopal Church in Nevada"
by
The Rev. Ed. Lovelady, Rector
All Saints’ Parish began with a worship service in the home of The Rev. Duncan McCoy on August 29, 1960 and was organized as a mission on December 12th. The letter of institution from Bishop William G. Wright, Bishop of the Missionary District of Nevada, reads that the new mission is “to have primary responsibility for churching the area of Las Vegas west of Rancho Road and North of West Charleston.”
The first church building was completed in 1961 and worship began in the new church without pews; each family brought folding chairs and the children sat on rugs on the floor. By 1963 Church school enrollment was 135, and increased by 1966 to 160 and the average Sunday church attendance was 80.
On April 11, 1969 All Saints’ was approved for parish status and in September The Rev. Donald Cole was installed as All Saints’ first rector. By 1974, All Saints’ was recognized as the fastest growing Episcopal Church in Nevada and All Saints’ Day school opened in October of that year, with an initial enrollment of 12 students.
In 1981 a joint project with Christ Church established a food pantry. Fellowship grew with the membership and an annual custom of “Alls Fair” and “Oktoberfest” celebrations still draw members and guests from all over the valley.
A new worship space was completed and dedicated by Bishop Steward C. Zabriskie on September 15, 1996, and a custom-built organ was installed and dedicated in 1999.
The parish had some difficult years and declined in membership and ministry and is now in full recovery, claiming once again the title of “the fastest growing Episcopal Church in Nevada.” Outreach programs continue, with the food pantry in its 25th year and the relationship with a neighboring middle school growing in new ways each year.
The congregation represents the full diversity of the Las Vegas valley in the geographic diversity of its membership, and the broad spectrum of ethnic, economic, and church backgrounds.
Holy Child Filipino Church began at All Saints’ in 2003, and this year became a Ministry of the parish with the full membership joining All Saints’ parish. They continue to have worship and fellowship appropriate to their culture and tradition and have their members in leadership roles of the parish.
All Saints’ Day School is now a Day Care, Preschool, and Kindergarten, with 80 children, age 3 to 6 enrolled.
The area Bishop Wright gave to All Saints’ care now has a population greater than the entire Las Vegas valley in 1960. The growing city population challenged the parish to adopt a philosophy of “keeping the doors open” to whomever comes in, and offering welcome and hospitality; good music, liturgy, and preaching. New member incorporation is a high priority to keep up with growth, as well as a growing Christian education and Youth ministry. Advertising is key in this “high tech” world where seekers are more likely to do an Internet search than read the yellow pages. A significant challenge is in the area of ethnic ministries, with an active and growing Filipino congregation whose goal is to grow into an independent parish, and to reach out to the neighborhood that has become predominately Spanish speaking.
Each week presents new opportunities for ministry and mission. The parish mission statement “To know Christ and make Christ known” is a reminder of the challenge to remain faithful to seek God’s guidance, and to be open to new ways of encountering others in the name of Christ.
All Saints’ Parish is located at 4201 West Washington Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89107, and on the web at www.allsaintsepiscopal.com
The first church building was completed in 1961 and worship began in the new church without pews; each family brought folding chairs and the children sat on rugs on the floor. By 1963 Church school enrollment was 135, and increased by 1966 to 160 and the average Sunday church attendance was 80.
On April 11, 1969 All Saints’ was approved for parish status and in September The Rev. Donald Cole was installed as All Saints’ first rector. By 1974, All Saints’ was recognized as the fastest growing Episcopal Church in Nevada and All Saints’ Day school opened in October of that year, with an initial enrollment of 12 students.
In 1981 a joint project with Christ Church established a food pantry. Fellowship grew with the membership and an annual custom of “Alls Fair” and “Oktoberfest” celebrations still draw members and guests from all over the valley.
A new worship space was completed and dedicated by Bishop Steward C. Zabriskie on September 15, 1996, and a custom-built organ was installed and dedicated in 1999.
The parish had some difficult years and declined in membership and ministry and is now in full recovery, claiming once again the title of “the fastest growing Episcopal Church in Nevada.” Outreach programs continue, with the food pantry in its 25th year and the relationship with a neighboring middle school growing in new ways each year.
The congregation represents the full diversity of the Las Vegas valley in the geographic diversity of its membership, and the broad spectrum of ethnic, economic, and church backgrounds.
Holy Child Filipino Church began at All Saints’ in 2003, and this year became a Ministry of the parish with the full membership joining All Saints’ parish. They continue to have worship and fellowship appropriate to their culture and tradition and have their members in leadership roles of the parish.
All Saints’ Day School is now a Day Care, Preschool, and Kindergarten, with 80 children, age 3 to 6 enrolled.
The area Bishop Wright gave to All Saints’ care now has a population greater than the entire Las Vegas valley in 1960. The growing city population challenged the parish to adopt a philosophy of “keeping the doors open” to whomever comes in, and offering welcome and hospitality; good music, liturgy, and preaching. New member incorporation is a high priority to keep up with growth, as well as a growing Christian education and Youth ministry. Advertising is key in this “high tech” world where seekers are more likely to do an Internet search than read the yellow pages. A significant challenge is in the area of ethnic ministries, with an active and growing Filipino congregation whose goal is to grow into an independent parish, and to reach out to the neighborhood that has become predominately Spanish speaking.
Each week presents new opportunities for ministry and mission. The parish mission statement “To know Christ and make Christ known” is a reminder of the challenge to remain faithful to seek God’s guidance, and to be open to new ways of encountering others in the name of Christ.
All Saints’ Parish is located at 4201 West Washington Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89107, and on the web at www.allsaintsepiscopal.com
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