HISTORY & CAMPUS
The Legacy & Campus
of All Saints By-The-Sea
Rooted in more than a century of faith, All Saints-by-the-Sea reflects a rich history of
worship, hospitality, and community life in Montecito.
The History
The first Episcopal services in the Montecito area of Santa Barbara were initiated in the early 1890s. The Miramar Hotel was a major draw for wealthy tourists and the established Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Santa Barbara faithfully responded to requests for a service near the Miramar Hotel – thus allowing these Episcopalians to avoid the 90-minute horse-and-buggy ride to downtown and another one back.
The “All Saints” mission received canonical consent in 1896 and a temporary chapel was built in 1898 on land owned by the Doulton family, adjacent to the Miramar Hotel. A chiseled cornerstone on our Church building proudly proclaims 1900 as the date our current Sanctuary was built. By 1913, the Rev. Melville Moore had guided the mission to sustainability such that his successor’s call was used as a focal point to raise enough funds to warrant the removal of the mission status.
Honoring 125 Years
Along the Montecito coast, All Saints By-The-Sea has stood as a place of quiet beauty and enduring connection for over 125 years. The anniversary celebration brought together past and present—honoring a legacy shaped by faith, service, and the people who continue to call it home.
The Campus
Our Church campus serves our community as a place for worship, a pre-school, a refuge for adults in recovery, and a community center. We are blessed with a beautiful worship space and
a welcoming congregation – two important components of our Christian identity.
Eight buildings under nine roofs dot the All Saints campus to support our Sunday and weekday programs and to address the overall needs of our community.
Church
Originally erected in 1900 and remodeled in 2020, this is the oldest and most beloved building on campus. It is our sanctuary, a place we find the generous presence of God and through that time, we find ourselves as well. For our community, it is our place of worship and the primary place of formation. The sanctuary is open for quiet prayer Monday-Thursday from 8:30–12:30 every week. As the inscription above the door reads “Bide a wee and pray,” we invite all to come and enjoy the blessing of this quiet space.
Office
This two-story building sits across the street from the Sanctuary and was purchased in the1940s. This is where clergy and staff have offices and a conference room.
Parish House
This building, next to the Sanctuary, was the rectory when built in 1934 on the site of the original vicarage. It has been extensively renovated and remodeled over the years. Today this structure primarily houses the Sunday School, one of two campus kitchens, and oft-used meeting rooms. A detached garage is used for storage.
Fellowship Hall
Tucked behind the sanctuary, this building houses the second of our two kitchens and our largest single meeting. Originally constructed in 1929, it too has undergone renovation over the years, most recently to was converted into an interim worship space while the Church Sanctuary underwent structural reinforcement.
Friendship Center
This portion of the campus across the street from the Sanctuary, next to the Office, was originally constructed for Sunday School classes. Today the Friendship Center occupies most of this building with a community meeting room available to the public and used regularly by 12-step groups.
Parish School
Adjoining the Parish Hall, these classrooms were built in 1962 and mirror the style of the Parish Hall along the back of the property.
