All Saints' Anglican Cathedral (Edmonton) Explained

All Saints' Anglican Cathedral, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Fullname:Cathedral Church of All Saints', Edmonton
Dedication:All Saints
Dedicated Date:10 May 1956
Denomination:Anglican Church of Canada
Churchmanship:Broad Church
Diocese:Edmonton
Province:Northern Lights
Bishop:Stephen London
Dean:Alexandra Meek
Assistant:Ruth Sesink Bott
Deacon:John Gee
Honpriest:Gwen Bright
Director:Jeremy Spurgeon
Pushpin Map:Alberta

All Saints' Anglican Cathedral is a Canadian cathedral serving the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton, which covers central Alberta. It serves as the episcopal seat of the Bishop of Edmonton.

History

The Anglican Parish of All Saints was founded in 1875 by William Newton, the first known Anglican missionary to the Edmonton area. He arrived in Edmonton on September 28, 1875, having left Ontario in the spring.[1] The parish first met in a log cabin at the corner of what is now Jasper Avenue and 121st Street.[2]

By 1895 the parish had grown considerably and required a new building. A church was constructed on 103rd Street near the present site; however construction was only half completed due to lack of funds. In 1905 the church went through considerable renovations completing the original building plans.[2] In 1914 the newly installed Bishop of Edmonton, H. A. Gray, named All Saints as the pro-cathedral of the diocese. On December 20, 1919, a fire broke out and destroyed the church leaving only the outside walls intact. The pro-cathedral was rebuilt on the same site.[2]

The present building was completed in 1956 and was given the permanent status of cathedral. The building, dedicated on May 10, 1956. The synod offices of the diocese and those of the cathedral are on the second floor, and seniors' residence cathedral close adjoins the cathedral via an atrium. The parish hall to the north, which predated the current cathedral, was demolished in 1973.

Clergy

The cathedral serves as the seat of the Bishop of Edmonton, who is Stephen London.

The present dean is Alex Meek, who was installed on 1 March 2020. The post of vicar is currently held by Ruth Sesink Bott.

All Saints has one honorary assistant priest. As well, several retired clergy attend All Saints regularly and do not have honorary assistant status. The lay (non-clergy) staff is rounded out with a director of music, and an executive assistant to the dean.

All Saints is host to a congregation of immigrants from South Sudan under Akon Lual Akon and his assistant priest, John Ayuen. The congregation of St. Mark's-Jieng celebrates services in the Dinka language rather than English.

Past staff

The following is a list of the rectors and deans of All Saints.

Rectors of All Saints
Deans of Edmonton and Rectors of All SaintsIn 1945 the office of dean was created.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Goulding, E. Pierce. The Cathedral Church of All Saints, Edmonton: 1875-1935 . 1935 . Edmonton . 10 .
  2. All Saint's Anglican Cathedral 1875–1975, Jean A. Monckton