Rector's Page
Click here to read Father Bradley’s 2010 Summer letter.
I want to welcome you to All Saints’ Episcopal Church. Our history goes back to 1895 with a group of Episcopalians gathering in Columbia Falls for services and a visit from the Second Bishop of Montana. Shortly after that time, fifteen miles to the west, more Episcopalians started a worshiping community in Whitefish. Today, those two families are united in one parish, All Saints’ Church.
Four years ago, we began the process of uniting Holy Nativity, Whitefish, and St. Matthew’s, Columbia Falls, and shortly after, actually moved the historic 87 year old Holy Nativity Church to our new campus, almost exactly between the two towns. St. Matthew’s Church was sold to the Boys and Girls Club of Columbia Falls, and just like in Psalm 100, every afternoon, children gather in that wonderful structure and “make a joyful noise unto the Lord.” We could not be more thrilled with what happened to our wonderful eighty two year old building which once served that part of our vibrant congregation.
We are a building congregation, literally and figuratively. Our ten acre site is in a wooded and meadow park setting and it is here that we have the fully renovated and handicap accessible church and a parish hall that was also moved from Whitefish. We are in the process of selling a significant piece of property in Whitefish which we hope will nearly finance the construction of a new building on our campus which will have a larger sanctuary, hospitality area and Christian Education facility. When that is done, we will use the present church as a chapel for smaller services and make it available to the community as a church for ecumenical use. We added onto our parish hall this last Winter to provide first class space for Godly Play, the Montessori style Christian Education program we use. As well, we are getting very excited, anticipating seeing all of our planting we did last year come out of its winter and early spring sleep. In that sense, we really are building and it is very stimulating.
Figuratively, we are a building congregation as well. We are quite active in social ministry within the community and wider church. We offer various study groups ranging from bible study to a Thursday book reading. We are active in the Episcopal Church structure as well with several of our parishioners serving the Diocese of Montana in important capacities and three of our people, myself included, are three of the eight deputies to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, this summer. That many deputies from one parish is pretty unheard of, even of larger urban parishes and Cathedrals. Most importantly, even though we are well over a hundred years old, located in a state just six years older than we are, we are newly defining ourselves, day by day and for that we always are looking for fresh insight.
To that end, and because the Gospel compels us to be so, we are inclusive and we welcome all, not just because we want everyone to feel at home with us but because we need all. With vitality and dreams come many opportunities to make a difference and we sincerely need the gifts and talents of more than just us to continue the dynamic tradition of our century plus presence in making a change for the good in the world.
Please come and visit us. If you are new to the area or just passing through and if we can be of any help along the lines of pastoral care, don’t hesitate to call. My cell number is 406.250.1690. Our office phone is 406.862.2863. To help you find our location, we have an interactive link on this website which can direct you to our parish.
May God’s riches blessings be upon you and may the peace that is found in this remarkable part of Montana prevail upon earth.
Faithfully yours,
The Reverend Canon Bradley S. Wirth
Interim Rector
