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).

A cohort of the All Saints’ congregation enjoyed a fabulous Whitby Brass Band outdoor concert at the Whitby waterfront on July 21st. The Band put together its usual high quality repertoire with many familiar hits and challenging new arrangements of classic pieces, and All Saints’ got a special shout-out in honour of the church’s 150th anniversary.  (Note that the Band itself only just celebrated its own sesquicentennial.)

The commentary for the evening included highlights of All Saints’ history in the community, including its first Sunday service in November 1866, the role of the steeple in firefighting in Whitby, its stunning rebuilds after, not one, but two fires, and its foodbank and outreach ministry in the downtown neighbourhood.

The band saluted us specifically with a wonderful rendition of the hymn For All the Saints and a prayerful arrangement of Crimond (The Lord’s My Shepherd). The All Saints’ crowd could be heard quietly humming along to both. (Although, the Tom Jones medley also seemed to inspire the same audience participation!)

Many thanks to Whitby Brass Band for helping us celebrate our anniversary year. The Band performs again at the Heydenshore Pavilion at the waterfront on August 4th. It’s a great concert on any occasion.