The History of All Saints Anglican Church
The following is a condensation of “A History of All Saints Church", written by Joyce Probert in 1982.
From 1888 to 1892, Agassiz was part of the Fraser River Missionary District, in the Diocese of New
Westminster. This Missionary District covered from Pitt Meadows Bridge to Agassiz on the north side
of the Fraser and on the south side from Sumas Lake to Langley Corners. This area was “governed” by
the Church of England. Church services were held at parishioner’s homes, usually Captain and Mrs.
Agassiz’s.
From 1893 to 1911 the boundries changes and Agassiz became part of a parish extending from Yale to
Harrison River. When the first school was built in Agassiz in 1891, Anglican services were held in the
school. Sometime in 1894 a new Odd Fellow’s Hall was built and that then became the home of Anglican
worship. Under the guidance of the “English Church Building Committee” the present All Saints Church was
built in 1896. The land on which it sits was donated by the late Mrs. L.N. Agassiz. On October 30, 1899
the Building Committee reported that “the building of All Saints Church is now completed and paid for
at the cost of $1127.33, including seats, bell and the fencing of the lot.”
In 1911 a smaller parish bordered by Ruby Creek, Harrison River, the Fraser River and Harrison Lake
was divided from the larger area, and the sum of $450 per year was raised to pay the resident clergyman,
with a supplementary amount to be paid by the Diocese. In the same year, a new rectory was built on the
lot between the church and the Probert home. This lot of land was given to the church by the late R.R.
Agassiz. This was the residence of the incumbent priests until 1963 when the building was sold and
moved to McCaffy Road where it still stands. Other construction on the property was a large shed for
horses and rigs built in 1915.
In 1954 in was found necessary to have work done on the foundation of the church building; the flying
buttresses, which were such a distinctive feature of the building, were removed.
The construction of the present church hall was began in 1957 and completed in 1959. Men of the
congregation provided most of the labour.
For many years, All Saints Agassiz was a part of the large parish which extended between North Bend
and the Harrison River. At various times, both Hope and Princeton were included. Later the parishes of
Agassiz and Rosedale were combined. In 1971 Agassiz became part of the new area Parish of Fraser
Cheam. This included Agassiz, Rosedale, Chilliwack, Sardis, Hope, Yale and Cultus Lake.
In 1987 the parish boundries changes again with Agassiz, Rosedale and the surrounding ares forming the
parish of All Saints and St. Peter’s.
All Saints has received many gifts over the years. Chiming the hours is the Schulmerich Quadrabell 11-D
carillon, which was donated by Dr. Hubert and Sylvia (Gairns) Morgan of Halifax December 23, 1990.
The inscription reads: “In loving memory of Gwen Gwladys Gairns and in honor of Peter Neil Gairns
recognizing their faithful service to this parish and community and in memory of the Armed Forces who
gave their lives in the service of this country. We Will Remember.”
Over all these years there are only two things that have not changes; the church building of All Saints and
our love of God. It is our calling to rejuvenate both of these. May we pray to God to give us the strength
to do both of these.
| 