Who We Are
All Saints-by-the-Sea is a parish of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America (ECUSA). The Episcopal Church is part of the 70 million member world-wide Anglican Communion. The parish is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, which serves Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernadino, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. All Saints is located in Montecito but draws its membership from throughout the cities of Carpinteria, Santa Barbara and Goleta. The congregation is made up of over 750 households, with parishioners ranging in age from newborn to late nineties.

The hallmarks of the parish are its senior ministry, family, children and youth ministry, outreach, and choir. The parish is blessed with a large staff and many lay volunteers who together keep the parishes numerous programs running.

History of All Saints-by-the-Sea
In the final decade of the nineteenth century, Santa Barbara was still a quiet ranching and fishing town with a population under 10,000. Its charms were not designed to remain hidden, however, as the newly established rail system brought carloads of folks from the East Coast and Midwest - all seeking to escape the icy grip of winter and summer’s humid heat. Many of these travelers were people of means who found properties in Montecito that were both beautiful and spacious—properties where they could build the elegant homes and retreats for which the area soon became famous.

In addition to those who settled and built homes in the area, there were many regular visitors who spent two months or longer as patrons of the fashionable Miramar Hotel, enjoying its quaint cottages, central dining room, pristine beach, and California warmth.

Among the visitors and settlers were many Episcopalians who longed for regular worship and Anglican communion. The first services for Episcopalians in Montecito were held in 1893 or 1894 in a hall near the old post office—on the site of the present day firestation on East Valley Road. These services were conducted by Trinity’s Rector, the Rev. William A. Ramsey, in response to a request from the Miramar Hotel proprietors, Mr. & Mrs. Josiah Doulton, who were Episcopalians themselves.

In May of 1896, the Rt. Rev. Joseph Horsfall Johnson, Bishop of Los Angeles, gave his canonical consent to the organization of a mission in Montecito to be called “All Saints.” By July of 1900, $2,500 had been raised toward the cost of construction of All Saints-by-the-Sea. The lot that the Doulton family had donated was traded for one thought to be more advantageous. This second property owned by the Humphrey family, became the site upon which All Saints was built. With plans conceived by prominent Los Angeles architect, Arthur B. Benton, construction was begun on September 3, 1900 for a building in the craftsman style.

All Saints grew rapidly during the next few years. San Ysidro ranch began to provide a horse-drawn bus to bring their guests to Sunday services. In 1905, the Board of Missions withdrew its support but the congregation responded generously. By 1910, All Saints was well furnished. An organ had been donated, and four stained-glass windows had been installed. In 1902, two prayer desks were installed in the sanctuary and a pulpit, which is still in place today. In 1914, the church itself was now valued at $6,500, the rectory at $2,700; and church furnishings at $4,500. In 1916, a new room was added to the east of the sanctuary, and a new south wing provided a study for the Rector plus a choir room for the newly appointed organist and choir director.

In 1921, it was decided to push out the north side wall of the church, mirroring the 1916 addition to the south wing, an expansion that added approximately 40 seats.

On June 29, 1925, a devastating earthquake caused extensive damage to All Saints. By September, however, the money needed for repairs had been raised. The price exceeded the original cost of construction just 25 years before.

In 1928, $2,000 had been raised toward the construction of the Parish Hall and renovation of the Sunday School classrooms behind the sanctuary. In 1929, the Parish Hall was completed at a cost of $5,062.

In 1934, construction began on a new rectory, which was completed late in the year at a cost of $10,600. This large, welcoming home was built through private donations.
After all the remodels were completed, in 1941, the All Saints campus, in its entirety, was valued at $138,000.

In 1964, the Vestry approved the purchase at 76 Humphrey Road as a residence for curates or other assisting clergy. The house was created by putting several Miramar cottages together. Some parts of the roofs piled one on top of the other! The recorded price was $28,000.

If you would like to know more about the history of All Saints, a recently published book is available: One Hundred Years, A History of All Saints-by-the-Sea, by Marni McGee.
Please contact the church office at 805/969.4771.