“Want to stand where George Washington once stood?” That’s right. All Saints’ Episcopal Church has a connection to American history. This church has witnessed centuries of change. It stands as a testament to faith and community.
All Saints’ Episcopal Church was founded in 1772. It began as a mission of Trinity Church Oxford. Parishioners wanted a church closer to home. The journey to All Saints’ began with weary travelers. They lived five miles from Trinity Church. The roads were not good. They wanted their own place of worship.
All Saints’ history is deeply intertwined with the surrounding area. The church sits on what was once the King’s Highway. This road is now Frankford Avenue. It began as a Native American footpath. William Penn widened it in 1686. General Washington and Marshal Rochambeau marched this road. Their troops traveled from Rhode Island. They eventually won the Battle of Yorktown.
Initially All Saints’ was a small stone chapel. It grew over time as the community expanded. In 1811 an addition was built. All Saints’ established its own chapel in Holmesburg in 1831. This chapel became Emmanuel Church. By 1835 All Saints’ became independent from Trinity Oxford. It established two more chapels. These were in Eddington and Church of the Redeemer Andalusia.
As the area developed, All Saints’ also evolved. Large estates were built. Many new residents joined the church. The original chapel became too small. A new building was planned. Construction began in 1854. It was completed in 1855. Frank Wills designed the new All Saints’ building. He was an English architect. The style is Old English Chapel Gothic. It is the only surviving Wills design in Pennsylvania.
All Saints’ has always been more than just a church. In 1912 Torresdale House was built. Harriet Phillips Massey provided the funds. It was advertised as the first fully equipped Montessori training school in the country. The school later moved. It eventually returned to All Saints’. Today it still serves the community. It offers nursery, pre-K, and kindergarten classes.
The grounds surrounding All Saints’ are beautiful. An 18th-century graveyard surrounds the buildings. The graveyard reflects the history of the area. The first recorded burial was in 1786. Many prominent Philadelphians are buried here. There are business people and politicians. About 160 veterans rest here. They served from the Revolutionary War to the War in Iraq.
Since 1772 twenty rectors have served All Saints’. Some had remarkably long tenures. The Rev. Rush Eastman served for 21 years. The Rev. Percy Brown served for 37 years. The Rev. Dr. Edward Chinn served for 43 years. They are all buried in the graveyard.
All Saints’ Episcopal Church has a rich history. It began with settlers wanting a local church. It grew into a vital part of the Torresdale community. It continues to be a place of worship, education, and remembrance. All are welcome to experience its history and community.