In December of 1961, The Rt. Rev. Matthew George Henry, Jim Perry and Roland Whitemire met with twelve local families and discussed the possibilities of a new mission in East Gastonia. In subsequent meetings, committees were appointed and an attractive piece of property was selected as the site of the mission.

In January of 1962, The Rev. Robert E. Johnson, who had been serving the Silva-Cullowhee, moved to Gastonia and gave leadership to the potential congregation. The first service was held in an old house on the property in February 1962. The congregation was officially organized March 4, 1962, when twenty persons signed the necessary petition and presented it to Bishop Henry. The Rev. Robert E. Johnson was chosen as vicar.

In May of 1962, the temporary chapel was erected. The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) pledged their 1961 All Saints Day offering as money for this mission. The offering amounted to over $3,000.00. all Saints was chosen as the church name partly due to this beginning support. All the preliminary work that had gone into the planning was beginning to bear fruit with the building of this first chapel. The Men of the Church did the actual labor with the women bringing a picnic to serve at lunchtime. It was much like a barn raising of old and was to set the feeling of the congregation through work and worship that has characterized All Saints. Two years later, in 1964, the temporary chapel was dismantled and a new permanent church built. A new parish house was completed in 1968.

On June 29, 1986, The Rev. Robin Johnson retired after twenty-four years of faithful service. Mr. Johnson was well known in Gaston County and is responsible for the organization of AA groups, Hospice and other outreach ministries. Mr. Johnson provided pastoral care both to his members and to many people in Gastonia and Gaston County. After Mr. Johnson retired, interim priest The Rev. Rob Henly and others provided supply work at All Saints.

In June 1987, The Rev. Stephen Stanley was called as rector. Father Stanley served in this capacity until May 1990 providing for a transition period. During Father Stanley’s term new programs and worship styles were introduced. Father Stanley answered a call to be chaplain to the students at the University of North Carolina in June 1990. He currently serves as the Associate Rector of Christ Church, Roanoke, VA. Another interim period followed with The Rev. Ingram Parmley, The Rev. Bill Pilcher, and the Rev. Rob Henley providing priestly leadership.

From 1991 until January 2005, the Rev. J. Houston Matthews, III served as the third rector of All Saints’. During Father Matthews’ tenure, the Parish continued to grow in numbers as well as involvement in the life of Gaston County, the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina, and the Cursillo movement. The Rev. Mr. Pat Cheshire served as Deacon for part of Father Matthews’ tenure. Father Matthews retired in January 2005. The Rev. Charles W. Smithers served the parish during the interim period.

In October 2006, The Rev. Ben G. Robertson, IV, a native of Louisville, KY, was called to be the fourth rector of All Saints’. The parish looks forward to an exciting future filled with worship, fellowship, growth and ministry.