Our History

The year was 1948.  Under the guidance of Dean Carmen and Bishop Kinsolving, Trinity Cathedral of Phoenix, Arizona formed a committee to discuss church expansion in Phoenix, as the city showed great promise for growth.The new church would accommodate Cathedral parishioners who lived north of Camelback Road (then on the fringe of the city). Terms for the new church were that Trinity Cathedral would grant complete independence as soon as possible. They would also employ a clergyman, guarantee his salary and would transfer the property to the newly established congregation. Trinity would give $25,000 as soon as the congregation would raise the like amount.


A ranch on north Central Avenue owned by an elderly couple was decided upon for the new church.  The ten acres were purchased for $35,000.  This was a working date ranch with orange, lemon, grapefruit, pomegranate and olive trees. There was a short dirt road leading into the main house from Central Avenue between two rows of palm trees. These trees still stand on the north side of the church.  In addition to the main house there was an old barn and several other buildings.  The main house was used for the church service.  As promised by Trinity Cathedral, a priest was delegated to officiate at the first service. This service was held on March 4, 1951.  There were twenty three adults and nineteen children in attendance.  Even the kitchen was used. There was a portable organ that was played by a volunteer.  The collection plate was a saucepan borrowed from the kitchen.  The first collection netted $38.22.


In 1953, a candlelight service was held at Trinity Cathedral and All Saints’ advanced from a mission to a parish.  The Vicar became Rector and the Planning Committee became the Vestry. This was the beginning of being independent.

All Saints’ Church has been an inspiration in Episcopal circles for the growth it enjoys.  Some of the growth was due to the population increase in the Valley.  All churches grew, but All Saints’ had ten acres.  Room enough for the church, parish hall, other buildings, gardens and the school.


All Saints’ became a large church which stands as a mighty fortress on Central Avenue.  It also stands as a memorial to Dean Carmen, Bishop Kinsolving and the congregation of Trinity Cathedral who gave unselfish love to the first congregation who enjoyed the adventure of a lifetime, and to Paul Urbano, the first Rector, who was there when it became a parish; when the church was built; when the school was started as a part of his vision; when the largest growth occurred, due partly to his magnificent preaching and teaching.

The Rectors of All Saints'


  • The Rev. Paul Urbano

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  • The Rev.  Carl Carlozzi

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  • The Rev. Peter Walsh

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  • The Rev. Poulson Reed

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After Father Paul died in 1979, The Reverend Dr. Carl G. Carlozzi became the second rector in June 1980.  Under Father Carl’s expert tutelage many changes were made to the church and grounds.  All Saints’ grew to a large, active parish with a magnificent campus.

By the grace of God, All Saints’ Episcopal Church and Day School has bloomed into a teeming 11-acre plot where every year thousands of people -- members, visitors, and students -- come for spiritual refreshment and where every school day nearly 500 children come to be educated in the light of God.

The same spark of the Spirit that created the early Church was there with all the saints at All Saints’ during the foundational years with Fr. Paul Urbano and the fruitful building years with Fr. Carl Carlozzi. That same lively Spirit emerged in a new way during the Interim Period where under the sagacious leadership of Fr. Deane Lierle a new phoenix-like Spirit arouse in the congregation – a Spirit that said we are alive and we want to do something, something beautiful for God.



Fr. Peter Walsh, our next rector, added his energy to the parish for all of us to be co-creators with God in an adventure that will transform lives, the parish, and the world around us. During Fr. Peter's tenure, the Church and Day School experienced a whole new resurgence of energy and mission, not to mention a lot of great events like the giant GREEN Festival, the Blessing of the Animals in Day School Chapel and Church-in-the-Round, and the 50th Anniversary of All Saints'. All Saints' also began to emerge as the place for spiritual education and formation in the Valley. In May 2008, Fr. Peter was called to a parish in New England so he could be closer to his immediate family.

The Reverend Poulson C. Reed was called as our new Rector in June 2009 and he started in August 2009. He came from St. John's Cathedral in Denver where he was the Sub-Dean.  He brings a wealth of experience, enthusiasm, and ideas to further our ministries at All Saints'. His focus on Pray + Learn + Serve + Connect is enabling the All Saints' Community to grow in discipleship and do the work that God has intended us to do. During Fr. Reed's tenure, the church and school have worked together to expand and improve the campus, and have formed a partnership with Saint Paul's Episcopal Church and School in Haiti.



The Meaning of Our Logo

Refreshed from the original logo used by Fr. Paul Urbano, our first rector


The Bible holds the keys to the Kingdom  (the book at the center with the crossed keys) 


. . . to spread the Gospel of Christ (the Chi Rho)


. . . which is the Gospel of Peace (shown by the olive branch)


This was done by the twelve apostles  (the twelve stars on the bottom)