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HISTORY OF ALL SAINTS CHURCH
In October, 1908, Father Francis J. Kolb was named pastor of the newly-organized All Saints Church in Masontown. Previous
to this, the Catholic people of Masontown belonged to Saint Mary's Church in Leckrone.
Both the Church and Parish House were completed in March and dedicated on April 24, 1910. The dedication was attended
by the Uniontown Council of the Knights of Columbus and Ancient Order of Hibernians.
The present property of All Saints was purchased from the Neff heirs on May 10, 1909. The cornerstone of All Saints Church
was laid on September 26, 1909 by Father Lambing. All Saints Church was dedicated by Bishop J.F. Regis Canevin. Catholics
from all sections of Western Pennsylvania gathered to witness the dedication.
The Church moved forward with plans for a parochial school. The construction work began on August 16, 1910 and the buildings
consisted of five large classrooms and a large auditorium on the second floor known as Lyceum Hall which had a seating capacity
of 525.
On May 19, 1911, work began on the convent for the Sisters who would teach in the school. The eighteen-room convent was
completed in September, 1911. The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary from Scranton were placed in charge of the school.
September 25, 1911 was the opening day of school with 130 pupils in attendance. Four Sisters were in charge for the ten-month
term.
As years went by, the school increased in the number of pupils until it was necessary to build an additional three rooms.
The enrollment was 450.
The parishioners were generous. Their efforts were rewarded when in 1926 the burning of the mortgage took place. Bishop
Hugh D. Boyle came for the occasion and spoke in glowing terms of the work that had been done.
There was no high school in Masontown and children completing the eighth grade had to go to German Township High School.
Because of the distance and lack of bus transportation, very few went beyond the eighth grade. In 1929, All Saints had its
own high school. In 1930, All Saints High School had its first graduation class.
The last phase of the land aspect of the parish plant was accomplished in 1909 with the establishment of the parish cemetery
of Saint Agnes. The land was acquired from the H.C. Frick Coke Company. The altar, which features the traditional crucifixion
scene, was constructed in 1936 from native stone from nearby Greene County. In 1982, the cemetery was enlarged with the acquisition
of 8.8 acres of neighboring land.
Over the years, the parish has been blessed with vocations to both the priesthood and religious life. The social-religious
life of the parishioners has been enhanced by many parish organizations such as the Holy Name Society, Christian Mothers,
Parish Pastoral Council, and Finance Council as well as the Knights of Columbus and Catholic Daughters of America.
The parishioners - most of whom are descendants of the founding families - are as fervent and generous as were their ancestors.
Sunday Masses are well attended, and under the guidance of our current Pastor, Father John M. Butler, the Sacraments are received
frequently and traditional Catholic practices are enthusiastically supported.
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