Summer 2026

acolyte and was often in trouble for not genu- flecting or for miscounting communion wafers. He remembers the delight of walking home to Camino Real after the service, relieved from duty, enjoying the countryside. Longtime church members fondly recount tales of All Saints’ renowned Dickensian Dinners, organized with the bonhomie of Eldon Dedini and man-about- town Hans Lehmann (a mem- ber since 1939) who served as maître d’ in tails, playing his con- certina amongst the crowd in the parish hall. The annual holiday event drew hundreds, necessitating three seatings over the course of the night. Everyone came, everyone dressed up and most stayed afterward to clean up. Over the years, the church hosted fashion shows, talent shows and spirited auctions and was well known for its incredible rummage sales. Joyous wedding parties and other celebra- tions continue to fill the parish hall with music, the clinking of glasses and the echo of laughter. Through various eras of church leadership,All Saints’ dedication to the community has led to the organization of numerous institutions, including St. Dunstan’s and All Saints’ Day School in Carmel Valley, St. Matthias in Seaside, York School in Monterey and Santa Lucia at Big Sur, where the church has long provided land—free of charge—for Big Sur Health Center’s home. Today, under the leadership of Rector Amber Sturgess, All Saints continues to support the community through outreach (I-HELP homeless ministry, the Thomas Carman Food Pantry with Epiphany Marina and many other nonprofits) and to engage and inspire through spiritual groups (weekly Centering Prayer, book club and various courses and retreats throughout the year, and min- istry to guest musicians, includ- ing the Bach Festival, I Cantori and Madregalia). 120 years after the church’s first service, All Saints will com- memorate the 75th anniversary of its “new” church, with a jubilee celebration on Sunday, July 26, at 4 p.m., featuring the unveiling and dedica- tion of artist Elizabeth Barlow’s painting, “Transfiguration,” entertainment by Bach Festival musicians and an afternoon tea. For more information, call 831/624-3883 or visit www.allsaintscarmel.org. 182 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R 2 0 2 6 All Saints continues to be cared for by a loving congregation—some of whom have been attending since dedication day in 1951—and the beautiful sanctuary and gardens welcome generations of peninsula residents and visitors to this day. Photo: The Reverend Amber Sturgess The most recognized name related to the new building’s decorative arts is that of Alec Miller. The Scottish sculptor and master carver’s works are installed in important churches throughout the U.K. and the U.S.