The History of All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Weatherford

Bishop Alexander C. Garrett of Dallas visited Weatherford in June 1875. He organized a mission church here the following February with five communicants. The congregation called the Rev. Edwin Wichens, then serving at a mission at Fort Worth, to preach the fourth Sunday of each month as their first Priest in Charge. A small stone church was completed in 1879 on land that later became the site of the Weatherford City Hall.

The early years proved to be financially challenging for All Saints' Episcopal Church, and, by 1921, the Bishop had sold the church property. The congregation reorganized, and new property on the current site was given by parishioner Maggie Coleman Foat in memory of her daughter. Services were held in the homes of members until a new building was constructed in 1923 for $10,424. A rectory was built in the same year for the new priest, the Rev. E.S. Barlow.

Upon her death in 1943, Maggie Coleman Foat left stock in the First National Bank of Dallas to be used for the salary of a full-time priest. Noted portrait painter Douglas Chandor (1897-1953) served on the vestry from 1945 to 1947. A parish hall was placed on the premises in 1947 and, in 1964, the church and rectory were joined to form an educational building.

The church is now over 135 years old, but the life of the parish has continued to be young in spirit while faithful to the tradition of its founders.

 

(For a "written tour" of the church and its different sections, windows,accoutrements, and adornments, please click HERE.)