All Saints’ History

Cannelburg sprang into existence with the extensive operation of the Buckeye Cannel Coal Company in the 1870’s. The history of All Saints Parish closely parallels the history of the cannel coal mines and the building of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad (later B& O) through Cannelburg. The early settlers attended Mas at St. Peter’s Church in Montgomery walking the two miles down the railroad tracks. Around 1890 Fr. Piers of St. Peter’s decided to build a church in Cannelburg, as a mission, which was known as the Chapel of “Ease”. This Church was dedicated on August 29, 1893 with boards on barrels for seats. Many times when travel over the mud roads was next to impossible, the parishioners of Cannelburg would go to Montgomery and take Fr. Piers up the railroad track to Cannelburg on a hand car to administer to their needs; either to assist the sick or dying, or celebrate Mass. Four men were required to pump the hand car to transport the priest. The bell used by Fr. Sorin and the Holy Cross Brother on the old church at Black Oak Ridge was moved to the chapel at Cannelburg. It was subsequently moved to a Holy Cross Brothers school near Rolling Praire, Indiana. On his many trips to care for his missions and to build the Chapel at Cannelburg, Fr. Piers drove a buggy with Small wheels in front.

The first resident pastor, having now parish house, was given a room at the Lawrence Kavanaugh residence. The boys of the community were recruited for servers and walked down to F. Duffey’s room for lessons in Latin. The church was heated by a wood stove which was fired only on Sundays, and the bell was rung at that time for Mass by the servers. In 1906 construction was begun on the present rectory. During Fr. Gorman’s pastorate, in 1907, the church was extended 30 ft. and stained glass windows were installed. In 1912 an explosion in the boiler room of the Mutual Mining Company caused this mine to close leaving many men out of work and the community population began to decline. The Congregation Church was no longer active and the building was purchased by All Saints and moved to the north end of their property and used for over fifty years as the center for parish activities.

During Fr. Meunsterman’s pastorate, on October 18, 1953, a fire destroyed the front portion of the church badly damaged the interior. The church was renovated and redecorated at this time adding stone to the exterior. The benches, altars, kneelers, and lecterns were made by the parishioners. The church was rededicated in April of 1954 at the completion of this project. In 1968, under the pastorate of Fr. Emge, the present hall was built with limestone to match the church.

In 1950 fifteen acres of property adjoining the parish property was donated by Margaret Kavanaugh. This area was converted into a private lake, baseball field, and recreational area. Late parishioners, Mrs. James Grider and Louis Sharum, who died in 1938 and 1939 respectively, were relatives of George Rogers Clark, who left on the famous Lewis-Clark expedition 175 years ago this May. In August of 1977, the church was again rededicated after another complete redecoration project costing well in excess of $35000.00. Expressing his thanks, Fr. Erbacher, the present pastor, in writing to his congregation said: “today marks but yet another milestone in the history of All Saints Church. What we celebrate has been made possible because of your deep faith and generous financial support. This beautiful, remodeled church is indeed a very fitting sign not only for us now, but to our forefathers who had so strong a faith and dedication back in 1891”. In 1979, a new steeple was put on the church to replace the one which was destroyed in the fire of 1953; and in the same year the lighted cross was added plus the addition of the automatic bells.

Pastors of All Saints Catholic Church