Interior of a small 1890s stone chapel during a candlelight vigil: rows of congregants holding single candles, warm points of light in near-darkness.

You are surrounded.

looking to Jesus

All Saints Church · Merrow Falls, Pennsylvania

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.”Hebrews 12:1–2 (ESV)

Founded in 1892 by Welsh quarry families who carried the stones up Chapel Hill by hand, All Saints has photographed its congregation every year since. When the narthex archive was digitized last winter, we counted a hundred and thirty years of faces — a literal cloud of witnesses. This page lets you walk through it.

All Saints Church, Merrow Falls — You are surrounded.

This Sunday

Sundays · 10:00 AM

14 Chapel Hill Road · Merrow Falls, Pennsylvania · map

One service. Wooden pews, real bread, and the same stone walls the quarry families raised in 1892. Children are welcome in the service, or in the nursery down the stairs.

What we’re doing now

The cloud is still gathering. The newest witnesses are not on the wall yet — they are setting tables and learning the descant.

The Tuesday meal

Every Tuesday at 5:30 we set forty places in the parish hall. No sign-up and no questions. Come hungry, or come early and help carry.

Fourteen baptisms

The font has been busy this year: fourteen baptisms since January, aged three months to eighty-one years. The photographs are already in the archive.

The choir still climbs the hill

Thursdays at 7:00, same as 1899. If you can carry a tune — or a casserole for afterward — you are wanted.

The archive

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.”1 Corinthians 13:12

Every year since 1892, one photograph. Rest your eye on a face and it will meet you. Every portrait here is named — no face in this cloud is ornamental.

1892–1939Shell I · 36 plates

Gwilym Bevancarried the first cornerstone
Elis Morganquarry foreman; deacon from 1901
Margaret Pryceorganist, 1892–1941
Catrin Howellled the psalms before the organ came
Mair Llewellynwith Thomas, baptized winter 1905
Sioned Reesbrought her son to the font
Isaac Vossread the lesson forty years
Rev. John Prosserfirst called pastor
Rev. Daniel Meredithpastor through two wars
Rev. Owen Lloydassistant; kept the register
Hywel Prosserstonemason — his mark is on the lintel
Tomos Wynnmason and bell-hanger
Edwin & Ruth Kilvertmarried 51 years; third pew
Josiah & Elen Puwfounders, seated for the camera
Evan Rhyssang bass in the first choir
William Parrysexton; trimmed the lamps
Eleanor Vosstaught Sunday school 41 years
Alis Bevankept the linen and the roll
Dafydd Rhysrang the bell for 60 Easters
Ifor Rhyshis brother; rang the changes
Gwen Meredithwidowed 1917; never missed a vigil
Martha Llewellynin mourning, still she came
The Puw brotherswalked up from the quarry floor
Bryn & Aled Wynndrove the stone wagon
Bronwen Ellissoprano, 1908–1934
Nerys Howellkept the hymnals
Samuel Kilvertlamplighter for the evening service
Enoch Parrylit the stove at five
Hannah Prosserfed the masons from her kitchen
Sara Puwher bread on communion Sundays
The congregationon the limestone steps after service
The quarry crewthey carried the stones up Chapel Hill
The first choirEaster morning, robes borrowed
A baptism at the fontthe stone font, still in use
A gathered congregationa real plate among the painted onesLibrary of Congress · AFC
After the serviceWheeley’s Church — a real plate, kept here in honorLibrary of Congress · FSA

1946–1989Shell II · 18 plates

Dorothy Marshbrought the pie to every picnic
Danny Kovacsguitar at the youth service
Deacon Ezra Fieldsgreeted at the red door 30 years
Vacation Bible Schoolfour generations, one font
June Albrightchoir director
Ted & Carol Emrysmarried on the steps
Lois WhitakerSunday school — the ark mural is hers
Harold Bankspoured the coffee; never missed
The Emrys familynew truck, old faith
Vera Colbyflowers on the sill every Sunday
Ruth Callowayorganist, 1954–1989
The Christmas pageanttinsel halos, borrowed sheets
Walter Voss Jr.third generation; taught the boys
The Emrys girlsEaster baskets on the steps
The handbell choirfounded 1978; still rings
VBS under the bannerhand-painted, hung crooked
A baptismthe same font as 1912
Christmas Evecandlelight, every pew full

1990–todayShell III · 30 plates

The VancesBen, Kate & Juniper
The Hollis familyrow four, by the window
Erin Maddoxreads the epistle
Claire Bevan-Ortizsixth-generation quarry family
Tessa Nguyencoffee crew; first to arrive
Dana Whitfieldwelcomes at the door
Karen Voss-Millerruns the book table
Amy CallowaySunday school, like her grandmother
Miriam Stantonlectionary in hand
Judith Marshher mother’s Bible, still underlined
Pete Llewellyn & Wrenflower girl, age four
Marcus Reyes & Lilydedication day
The OkaforsSam & Gloria — joined 2019
The Boatengstrustees since 2003
Mariana Floreschoir, alto section
Priya Thomasyouth choir robes, first Sunday
David Chenphotographs the archive now
Kenji Satolivestream and the lens
Frank Elliselder; quarryman’s grandson
Gordon PryceMargaret’s great-grandson; treasurer
Nora Quinn & the twinsthird row, every week
Becca Shaw & the boysalways nearly on time
Nancy Braceninety-four; still on the prayer chain
Edith Wynngreeted from her chair, 25 years
Chloe Meredithconfirmed this spring
Hope Callowayreads ahead in the hymnal
Meg Prosserthe Tuesday meal, head cook
Angela Fordaprons and casseroles
Eli & Joseph Vosslearning the tie knot before service
Joseph Voss & Elifour generations in one frame

What we believe

One body

The communion of saints: every generation that has climbed this hill belongs to one body, and its head is Christ — crucified, risen, and returning.

One race

Faith is a long obedience run in company. We run with endurance the race set before us, surrounded by those who ran it first and finished well.

One light

Every face in our archive is turned toward the same Lord. We look where they looked — to Jesus — and we find the race’s author is also its finisher.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be.

Plan a visit