-
All Saints was founded in January 1908 in what was then known as the "Village of the Heights." The founding pastor, Fr. George Walsh, commuted from Galveston and celebrated Mass in the Fraternal Hall at 12th and Yale, where the Fire Station is presently located.
In March 1909, the cornerstone of the first Church was laid at 10th and Harvard. Bishop Gallagher dedicated the Church in August 1909. The Church's seating capacity was 300, and the parish numbered 650 families. All Saints School was opened in 1913, and the two sacristies in the Church were used as classrooms. A small two-room school building was built by the people of the parish and was finished in 1914. This school was operated by the Dominican Sisters, who commuted from St. Agnes Academy, located on Fannin Street. The two-story brick school building was completed in 1922. This building is still used as CCE classrooms.
The present Gothic Church and the Rectory were dedicated in 1928 and are still occupied for these purposes. The combination auditorium and cafeteria was built in 1949 to accommodate the increased school enrollment and other parish activities. This building is presently the parish hall.
As the parish grew, so also did the school. The additional classrooms, presently the Third Age Learning Center, were constructed in 1959. A convent, a living area for eight sisters teaching in the school, was built in 1960. This building has been the Parish Office since 1986. The school was closed because of financial difficulties.
In 1974, All Saints entered into a joint venture with other religious denominations in the Heights area to build the Heights Tower located on 19th Street, a three-million-dollar, non-profit, senior citizen residence.
Reflecting on the history of All Saints helps the present members acknowledge the many priests, sisters, and people who have served the community over the years. They not only shaped and shared our values but have helped us to form our vision. The post-Vatican II view of the Church as the "People of God" continues to challenge the community to grow, learn, and experience this reality.
Our current pastor, Fr. Elias, was assigned to the parish in July 2022 and continues to inspire and empower the people to accept the responsibility of what it means to be a Catholic Christian Community and, in the process, to discover that by sharing in this responsibility, we can better live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is a growing awareness of our need for each other and our need to be a strong Christian Community in the Heights.
We are aware that ours is a changing community. The dynamics of growth and development are challenging. With our growing diversity in cultures, we have an excellent opportunity to witness the inclusivity of the Gospel, where all are welcomed and accepted as pilgrims on the journey.