Over the years, All Saints has received gifts of sacred art from generous donors in the form of sculpture, statues, paintings, icons, baptismal font, and rose garden.
These magnificent treasures have been offered with love and devotion to the Church, and as a remembrance of loved ones. The works are meant to be viewed and enjoyed as inspiration for prayer and reflection.
This icon of The Holy Trinity was graciously donated in July 2022, by Robin Pigott. The icon was written by local icon artist Mary Katsilometes, blessed by Archbishop J. Vlanzy, and is on display inside the church for all to enjoy. The community of All Saints Parish wishes to thank the Pigott family for their generous gift.
More details coming soon!
This peaceful outdoor grotto and meditation space was donated by the Sharp family in loving memory of Florence Sharp. [Story below written by Bob Sharp].
Florence Diana Sharp met with Father Paul and donated $30,000 to the Church after a Sunday Mass some years ago to use as he saw fit.
Father Paul told Florence that he had a special relationship with the Blessed Mother and wanted to build a grotto dedicated to Her along with the pavilion that was being planned. Florence also had the same type of relationship with Her and enthusiastically agreed. Father Paul told Florence that her donation would be the ONLY donation allowed for the grotto and it was.
Florence’s passions were her faith, her family and going to estate sales. Nearly every weekend for 40 years she and her best friend went to estate sales. About 35 years ago, she brought home an antique picture of the Blessed Mother and hung it in our bedroom. Every day until her death, and for as long as she could stand, she stood and said her rosary and daily prayers in front of this image of Mary. This is the same image that is now in the All Saints Grotto of the Blessed Mother.
The finished image was produced by a company in Florida that specializes in digitizing primarily religious pictures onto ceramic tiles which do not fade no matter the elements and are easily reproduced in case of vandalism. We tested this replacement promise early on as we asked that one tile be replaced and a few age scratches on Her hand be photoshopped out. The replacement tile arrived within 10 days with the corrections made and is in place now.
There is a backstory to the image seen in the grotto as it is the second finished mural the family had made. We were initially told that the image would need to be 3’ by 4’ which was the size we ordered and received.
When the grotto was finally erected, a “picture frame” had been made in the space where the 3’ x 4’ mural was supposed to go. Our mural was now too big for this new space. Undaunted, we measured this new reduced space, sent these new measurements to the manufacturer and within 10 days, we had a new mural that fit perfectly in the “picture frame”!
Another interesting fact about the mural: no matter where you sit or stand in the grotto the Blessed Mother is always seems to be looking at you. Try it the next time you visit.
Florence, unfortunately, died before she could see the completed mural in its proper place at the grotto.
She would have been so pleased with the final result. We are still looking for a proper home for the first mural, should you have any suggestions.
Created by local artist Connie Kierner and located in the Pavilion.
Donated by the David and Julie (Vernier) Brands Family.