1854-1905
Bishop Jackson Kemper
Early Days
Appleton, Wisconsin, saw its first house built in 1848, mail delivery in 1849, bridge over the Fox River in 1851, county court session in 1852, first paper mill in 1854, and its first Episcopal parish in 1856. The Rt. Rev. Jackson Kemper, first missionary bishop of the Episcopal Church, held the first Episcopal service in Appleton in 1854 or 1855 - and most accounts say it exactly that way - but the parish as such was officially organized in 1856. The Rev. C. C. Edmunds organized the parish in autumn 1856 and the first Baptism was of Rufus P. Eaton, in 1857. The Rev. Simeon Palmer became the first regular missionary with his services divided between Grace Episcopal Church, Appleton and St. Stephen Episcopal Church, Menasha.
Appleton, Wisconsin, saw its first house built in 1848, mail delivery in 1849, bridge over the Fox River in 1851, county court session in 1852, first paper mill in 1854, and its first Episcopal parish in 1856. The Rt. Rev. Jackson Kemper, first missionary bishop of the Episcopal Church, held the first Episcopal service in Appleton in 1854 or 1855 - and most accounts say it exactly that way - but the parish as such was officially organized in 1856. The Rev. C. C. Edmunds organized the parish in autumn 1856 and the first Baptism was of Rufus P. Eaton, in 1857. The Rev. Simeon Palmer became the first regular missionary with his services divided between Grace Episcopal Church, Appleton and St. Stephen Episcopal Church, Menasha.
The Grace Episcopal Church building around 1870 on the northwest corner of what is now Washington and Appleton Streets.
Grace Episcopal Church
The Rev. Mr. Palmer, as clergy were referred to in that day, began the process of constructing the first permanent church building in downtown Appleton. Palmer was educated at Nashotah House which was founded by Bishop Jackson Kemper who laid the Grae cornerstone in 1864. Sadly Palmer died of typhoid fever on October 23, 1864, before the building was completed, supposedly brought on by overwork.
It was under the leadership of the Rev. George Gibson the building was completed in 1866 at a cost of nearly $6,000 [or $80,000 in 2006 dollars]. The Grace Episcopal Church building was located on the northwest corner of Appleton and Edwards Street (now Washington Street) on land given by Boston philanthropist Amos Lawrence, who was instrumental in the establishment of Lawrence University. In 1883, this wooden building was moved to the present site on the northeast corner of College Avenue and Drew Street, with its entrance facing Drew Street.
The Rev. Mr. Palmer, as clergy were referred to in that day, began the process of constructing the first permanent church building in downtown Appleton. Palmer was educated at Nashotah House which was founded by Bishop Jackson Kemper who laid the Grae cornerstone in 1864. Sadly Palmer died of typhoid fever on October 23, 1864, before the building was completed, supposedly brought on by overwork.
It was under the leadership of the Rev. George Gibson the building was completed in 1866 at a cost of nearly $6,000 [or $80,000 in 2006 dollars]. The Grace Episcopal Church building was located on the northwest corner of Appleton and Edwards Street (now Washington Street) on land given by Boston philanthropist Amos Lawrence, who was instrumental in the establishment of Lawrence University. In 1883, this wooden building was moved to the present site on the northeast corner of College Avenue and Drew Street, with its entrance facing Drew Street.
All Saints Episcopal Church building in the early 20th century. Note the rectory behind the building.
In 1905, the wooden church building was moved again, across Drew Street to the present site of the Outagamie Museum, to make way for the construction of a new stone church designed by Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge. Its Norman stone tower is modeled on the tower of the church in Appleton-le-Street, Yorkshire. An estimated 1,500 to 2,000 people attended the cornerstone-laying service which was presided over by The Rt. Rev. Charles Chapman Grafton, Bishop of Fond du Lac, on October 1, 1905.
1905 also saw the name of the parish changed from Grace Episcopal Church to All Saints Episcopal Church, although not without a bit of grumbling. The first service in the completed stone building was celebrated on Easter Sunday, April 15, 1906. The Rt. Rev. Reginald H. Weller, Bishop Coadjutor of Fond du Lac was the preacher, the Rev. S. P Delany was Rector.
1905 also saw the name of the parish changed from Grace Episcopal Church to All Saints Episcopal Church, although not without a bit of grumbling. The first service in the completed stone building was celebrated on Easter Sunday, April 15, 1906. The Rt. Rev. Reginald H. Weller, Bishop Coadjutor of Fond du Lac was the preacher, the Rev. S. P Delany was Rector.
1905-1955
On All Saints Day 1930, the parish celebrated its 75th anniversary with special services presided over by the Rt. Rev. Reginald Weller, Bishop of Fond du Lac and the Rev. Harwood Sturtevant, Bishop Coadjutor of Fond du Lac. Sturtevant had been a student of neighboring Lawrence College. There was a dinner on the previous Friday evening with speeches by the Appleton mayor John Goodland, Jr. and other notables.
1936 saw the 80th anniversary of the Episcopal parish in Appleton celebrated on All Saints Sunday at regular services and a United Thank Offering (UTO) collection.
Laymen Nathan Pusey, a member while serving as President of Lawrence College from 1944–1953, was an active partisan in the movement that pushed All Saints into the "low church" column at a time when Wisconsin was predominately "high church."
1936 saw the 80th anniversary of the Episcopal parish in Appleton celebrated on All Saints Sunday at regular services and a United Thank Offering (UTO) collection.
Laymen Nathan Pusey, a member while serving as President of Lawrence College from 1944–1953, was an active partisan in the movement that pushed All Saints into the "low church" column at a time when Wisconsin was predominately "high church."
At 3:50 a.m., November 30, 1949, a taxi driver reported a fire had broken out at All Saints. The fire started in the basement and burned through the floor, causing the altar to fall into the basement and charring the rest of the interior of the church. The fairly new altar, the reredos, the organ, the carved choir stalls, the 1910 Reid Memorial Tiffany window depicting Dorcas from the Acts of the Apostles (9:36–42), and the Bishop's Chair were destroyed. The baptistery was spared. Most vestments and other fabrics were smoke-damaged. The total loss was estimated at $75,000 [$630,00 in 2006 dollars].
The congregation worshiped at the Masonic Temple during reconstruction. Insurance coverage had recently been upgraded and was sufficient to cover $90,000 of the $150,000 needed for reconstruction. The additional $60,000 was immediately subscribed by the congregation. Hoffman Construction was the contractor for the rebuilding. Memorials were rigorously encouraged and reported on for the next few years. The first service in the restored church was on Christmas Eve 1950.
The congregation worshiped at the Masonic Temple during reconstruction. Insurance coverage had recently been upgraded and was sufficient to cover $90,000 of the $150,000 needed for reconstruction. The additional $60,000 was immediately subscribed by the congregation. Hoffman Construction was the contractor for the rebuilding. Memorials were rigorously encouraged and reported on for the next few years. The first service in the restored church was on Christmas Eve 1950.
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A new organ was installed in December 1951 with 20 ranks, 1,400 pipes and two manuals. It was designed by LaVahn Maesch, professor of organ at Lawrence College, and was built by the M. P. Moller Organ Company of Hagerstown, Maryland. Ernest White of the Moller Company oversaw the tonal design.
The Rt. Rev. Harwood Sturtevant, Bishop of Fond du Lac officially rededicated All Saints with special services featuring the new organ on All Saints Sunday 1952. In 1955, All Saints purchased the corner property at Drew and Washington Streets. As the rectory was directly behind the church, All Saints now owned all the land from College to Washington along Drew Street. |
1956-Present
In 1956, the parish celebrated its 100th anniversary with a week-long celebration. Events included the Rt. Rev. William H. Brady, Bishop of Fond du Lac, visiting and confirming on Sunday, Nov. 4, an Altar Guild reunion on Monday, a Silver Tea for the long-time members of the Women's Auxiliary on Tuesday, and a service of Evensong on Wednesday with the Rev. Edmund Ringland, Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral, Fond du Lac, as preacher. On Thursday, a lecture on "The Romance of Canterbury Cathedral" was given and on Friday, there was a Requiem Eucharist in commemoration of departed parishioners. On Saturday, the Centennial Banquet was held at the Masonic Temple.
In October 1958, All Saints and Lawrence College together purchased the house that bordered the Rosebush property and All Saints Church. The property was split so that lot lines from College to Washington would be straight.
In 1959, building plans for a parish center by J. Rouman & Associates were approved, and the rectory and neighboring house on the corner were torn down. Construction began in 1960 and was completed in January 1961. Parish "work parties" painted and did other finishing work. The dedication of the parish center was on April 30, 1961.
The property north of the Masonic Temple across Drew Street was acquired in 1967 and was rented out. In 1971 the building was torn down and a parking lot was built. A shared use agreement for the lot was made with an adjoining business.
All Saints members were part of the leadership that helped with the celebration for the 100th anniversary of the Diocese of Fond du Lac in 1975.
With the encouragement of the Rev. Art Kephart, Rector, a large number of members made their Cursillo in the 1980's and were active in this renewal movement.
The centennial of the stone church building of All Saints is observed with a special service and reception on October 2, 2005.
The Rev. Patrick Twomey, Rector since 1996, went on disability retirement in 2015 following the burden of persistent stress and intense loss following the death of a daughter and medical issues.
After serving as organist and choirmaster for 46 years, Frank Rippl retired in 2018. Rippl is remembered for his founding of the Appleton Boy Choir and Lunchtime Organ Series as well.
In October 1958, All Saints and Lawrence College together purchased the house that bordered the Rosebush property and All Saints Church. The property was split so that lot lines from College to Washington would be straight.
In 1959, building plans for a parish center by J. Rouman & Associates were approved, and the rectory and neighboring house on the corner were torn down. Construction began in 1960 and was completed in January 1961. Parish "work parties" painted and did other finishing work. The dedication of the parish center was on April 30, 1961.
The property north of the Masonic Temple across Drew Street was acquired in 1967 and was rented out. In 1971 the building was torn down and a parking lot was built. A shared use agreement for the lot was made with an adjoining business.
All Saints members were part of the leadership that helped with the celebration for the 100th anniversary of the Diocese of Fond du Lac in 1975.
With the encouragement of the Rev. Art Kephart, Rector, a large number of members made their Cursillo in the 1980's and were active in this renewal movement.
The centennial of the stone church building of All Saints is observed with a special service and reception on October 2, 2005.
The Rev. Patrick Twomey, Rector since 1996, went on disability retirement in 2015 following the burden of persistent stress and intense loss following the death of a daughter and medical issues.
After serving as organist and choirmaster for 46 years, Frank Rippl retired in 2018. Rippl is remembered for his founding of the Appleton Boy Choir and Lunchtime Organ Series as well.
A number of stained glass windows were vandalized in March 2019 on the east side of the building. Complete restoration took more than a year and cost over $80,000. Insurance covered most of the cost, with the balance raised through a community appeal.
Rectors of Grace & All Saints Episcopal Church, Appleton
The Rev. Simeon Palmer - 1862-1864
The Rev. L. P. Tchiffely - 1864-1865
The Rev. George Gibson - 1865-1868
The Rev. Jerome A. Davenport - 1868-1869
The Rev. Edwin Peake - 1869-1871
The Rev. J. L. Steele - 1871-1872
The Rev. George Vernor - 1872-1886
The Rev. James B. Williams - 1886-1889
The Rev. George Howard S. Somerville - 1889-1892
The Rev. Lloyd E. Johnston - 1892-1893
The Rev. A. K. Glover - 1893-1895
The Rev. W. Dafter, D.D. - 1895-1902
The Rev. Selden P. Delaney - 1902-1907
The Rev. J. Boyd Coxe - 1907
The Rev. Orrok Colloque - 1908-1910
The Rev. Irving Spencer - 1910-1912
The Rev. Doane Upjohn - 1912-1921
The Rev. Paul O. Keicher - 1921-1924
The Rev. Clark A. Wilson - 1924-1925
The Rev. Henry S. Gatley - 1926-1930
The Rev. Lyle Douglas Utts - 1930-1933
The Rev. William James Spicer - 1933-1945
The Rev. Robert Reister - 1946-1948
The Rev. Gerald Gilmore - 1949-1951
The Rev. Arthur B. Ward - 1951-1957
The Rev. Carl E. Wilke - 1957-1970
The Rev. Ralph R. Stewart - 1970-1980
The Rev. Arthur K. D. Kephart - 1981-1995
The Rev. Patrick T. Twomey - 1995-2015
The Rev. James Harrison - 2016-2018
The Rev. Christopher T. Wilkerson - 2019-present
The Rev. L. P. Tchiffely - 1864-1865
The Rev. George Gibson - 1865-1868
The Rev. Jerome A. Davenport - 1868-1869
The Rev. Edwin Peake - 1869-1871
The Rev. J. L. Steele - 1871-1872
The Rev. George Vernor - 1872-1886
The Rev. James B. Williams - 1886-1889
The Rev. George Howard S. Somerville - 1889-1892
The Rev. Lloyd E. Johnston - 1892-1893
The Rev. A. K. Glover - 1893-1895
The Rev. W. Dafter, D.D. - 1895-1902
The Rev. Selden P. Delaney - 1902-1907
The Rev. J. Boyd Coxe - 1907
The Rev. Orrok Colloque - 1908-1910
The Rev. Irving Spencer - 1910-1912
The Rev. Doane Upjohn - 1912-1921
The Rev. Paul O. Keicher - 1921-1924
The Rev. Clark A. Wilson - 1924-1925
The Rev. Henry S. Gatley - 1926-1930
The Rev. Lyle Douglas Utts - 1930-1933
The Rev. William James Spicer - 1933-1945
The Rev. Robert Reister - 1946-1948
The Rev. Gerald Gilmore - 1949-1951
The Rev. Arthur B. Ward - 1951-1957
The Rev. Carl E. Wilke - 1957-1970
The Rev. Ralph R. Stewart - 1970-1980
The Rev. Arthur K. D. Kephart - 1981-1995
The Rev. Patrick T. Twomey - 1995-2015
The Rev. James Harrison - 2016-2018
The Rev. Christopher T. Wilkerson - 2019-present