Our History

Who We Are

Today, All Saints’ Day, we celebrate the sesquicentennial of our incorporation as a parish.  Such occasions always invite thoughts about the Past, the Present, and the Future. We are keenly aware of our unusual Present. We are worshipping in masks and maintaining our distance. Like everyone else, we are trying to discern what our Future will be like, trusting in our faith to guide us as we go. When observing a 150th anniversary, however, the Past assumes a special importance. It is good to remember the giants upon whose shoulders we stand, and to recollect the moments and events that have brought us to where we are.

On the Sesquicentennial of All Saints’ Parish, November 1, 2020.

The people of All Saints’ began meeting for services as early as the late 1860’s. Accommodations were quite different than they are now. The people met in a room over a saloon. Later, when the courthouse was under construction, they worshipped in one of the building’s unfinished rooms. It had a floor and a ceiling, even if the walls still did need plastering.

In the Fall of 1869, two women of the church decided it was time for a building of their own. Mrs. Adrian and Mrs. Birdseye were determined to “do something about things.” They set about raising money and the first day they had enough to begin construction. The building was on East Walnut Street. It, truly, must have been a labor of love – with the emphasis on labor. The lumber for the church had to be hauled to Nevada from Pleasant Hill.

It was at this time, on November 10, 1870, that All Saints’ Parish was incorporated. The incorporation was organized by George S. Adrian, F. R. Moreod, John T. Birdseye, George Upton, R. W. McNeil, and A. J. Jogneau.

The saints at All Saints’ worshipped in the building on Walnut Street for ten years. Then, another opportunity presented itself. Years before, a conflict had arisen in Nevada’s Christian Church over whether organ music was appropriate in the church. The disagreement was serious enough to divide their church, and each of the parties built their own building. Ultimately, the two groups were reconciled and, together, occupied one of the buildings. This left a building on East Cherry Street vacant. The people of All Saints’ moved in and have been there ever since. The building was consecrated in 1903. Over the years, a number of renovations, remodelings, and additions have resulted in the beautiful building in which we worship today.

There have been times when All Saints’ Parish did not have a rector. It is a tribute to the dedication and commitment of the people of this parish that, when necessary, they have taken the reins of leadership, sought the will of God and the wellness of their brothers and sisters, and ensured that the work of the church in this community would not stop.