Entering our lovely church each Sunday through the front doors, many walk right by a piece of the ecclesiastical furnishing that is used exclusively for one of the two sacraments of the Anglican Church. One sacrament is, of course, Holy Communion. So what is the other sacrament, and what item in the nave am I referencing? If you guessed the sacrament of Baptism and our beautiful baptismal font, you are correct. Well Done! Three Weatherbottom points to you!

As in many Roman and Anglican churches, our font stands at the entryway to the church. Its placement represents how one enters the faith. As we step into the church, we pass the font where Baptism allows each new Christian an entryway into the family of God.

Having survived our church’s more recent fire (albeit with some telltale discolouration), our font was carved from stone and donated by Richard Wolfenden in January of 1869. Around the outside you’ll find inscribed these words: “Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not.” The cover was not added until 1927. It was carved in oak and donated in memory of Ann Rabeth Wright, the wife of the then Rector. The brass basin for the font was donated in 1917, in memory of Ashleigh Rice who was killed in action.

Our 137-year-old font is in continuing use today. I am sometimes asked if it is permissible to use a more portable font at the front of the church. Though this is certainly quite possible, for those who are more traditionally liturgical in their approach to the sacrament, the choice is clear—baptismal candidates enter into their convenant with God in the place where they enter into God’s church.

~Bertie Weatherbottom, Notes & Queries Reporter for the 150th

Photo Credit: Dalton Company

Taken from a 1954 point-form history written by Mrs. Nan Erskine and deposited in the All Saints Archives:

For 88 years now, [the church] has stood as a monument to its Pioneer Builders and devout worshippers.… [I] call to mind many men and women of the past who contributed to the success of the Christian work of the church, and many names adorn the parish list, as their descendants carry on the old traditions.… Our bazaar is our main project. One time we held it in the Town Hall. It was an afternoon and evening affair—Bazaar, Supper & Concert—believe me, we made money!… We always had a Chancel Guild in a very small way, and at one time only two did the work. We had some very fine sewers who made & embroidered Altar Cloths, Purificators, etc.… The [Women’s Auxiliary] rebound the large Bible on the lectern after the fire [in 1929].… We welcome Rev. J.S. Armstrong and family and they are more or less settled. They are a fine couple and very aggressive. Next on the agenda is the building of a new Sunday School and repair work in the church. Rev. Armstrong is a little more High Church than some we have had, but he is introducing a new form of worship, which we are not quite used to, but as far as I see, he will win out.

A sampling of submissions to All Saints’ Anniversary Flower Festival, September 17-18, 2016. An astonishing assortment of vibrant colours, floral scents, and whimsical designs in celebration of All Saints’ 150 years of ministry activity.

A young red maple has been planted in commemoration of All Saints’ 150 years and in memory of deceased members of the church. A gift from a current member, the tree recognizes the deep roots that All Saints’ has in the Town of Whitby and it honours the Christian ministry of our first founders and the generations of parishioners who have gone before.  The tree has been dedicated and blessed, and in the years ahead, we will have the pleasure of watching it grow, just as All Saints’ continues to grow and reach out in faith and fellowship with its community.

The tree is located beside the path at Bassett Boulevard opposite Lismer Drive (behind the Town Hall).