History
All Saints Mission was built as a mountain mission in 1910 by Mrs. Agnes MacRae Parsley in memory of her half-sister, Mary Savage MacRae. Mrs. Parsley’s brothers, Hugh and Donald MacRae were founders of Linville, and it is interesting to note that she started the building fund with the proceeds from the sale of a lot which had been bequeathed to her by her childhood nurse.
The Church was designed by the noted architect, Henry Bacon, of the well known New York architectural firm McKim, Mead and White. Mr. Bacon designed several of the early cottages in Linville, but is perhaps best known for his design of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. for which he won the Gold Medal of the American Institute of Architects in 1923.
All Saints is constructed entirely of chestnut timber with chestnut bark shingles used both inside and out as the wall covering. Over the altar is a beautiful stained glass window donated by the late Major and Mrs. Stuart W. Cramer in memory of their daughter, Julia Baxter Cramer who died as a child in 1934. The recently restored stained glass window over the front door is original to the church.
A history book was published for the 100th Anniversary of All Saints Mission. The book and All Saints note cards are available at The Eseeola Lodge.
Outreach
As a Mission Church we are very aware that we need to give to those around us who are less fortunate. As a church, we give the majority of our gifts to the people in Avery County. Here is a listing of some of the agencies who received 2022 gifts.
- Resort Area Ministries
- Reaching Avery Ministries
- Feeding Avery Families
- Avery Prison Ministry
- Gifts from the Heart
- Volunteer Avery County
- Yellow Mountain Enterprises
- Williams YMCA of Avery County
- Avery County Missional Network
- Episcopal Diocese of Western N.C.
We thank all parishioners for their generous contributions. Please send gifts to P.O. Box 117, Linville, NC 28646.
2023 All Saints Mission Committee
- Chairman--James Randolph
- Treasurer--Ben Rudisill
- Altar Guild--Mary Holt Murphy
- Brochure--Sally Smith
- Flowers--Robin Davis
- Grounds--Jean Trott
- Archivist--Serena Smith
- Rectory Care and Hospitality--Pink Willis
- Lay Readers--Bryson Edmonds
- Minister Selection--Hester Hodde
- Wedding Coordinator--Julie Smith
- Baptism Coordinator--Kiki Jordan
- Wedding Schedule--Shug Lockett
- Bulletins--Marguerite Wyche
- Organist--Cissy Shull and Dr. Joby Bell
We would like to thank and honor Reba Moretz, who served as All Saints organist for 50+ years and retired in 2022.
