A Cathedral on Yankee Hill
All Saints' Cathedral has stood at 818 East Juneau Avenue on Milwaukee's historic Yankee Hill since 1873, making it one of the oldest houses of worship in the city and the first planned cathedral of the Episcopal Church in the United States. Originally founded as "The Free Church of the Atonement" on Milwaukee's east side in 1857 by the Right Reverend Jackson Kemper, the congregation was renamed All Saints' Pro-Cathedral in the late 1860s when Bishop William Edmond Armitage set his sights on creating a cathedral church for the young Diocese of Wisconsin. By 1873 the congregation had acquired the imposing Olivet Congregational Church building only a few yards from its small Pro-Cathedral, and within twenty-five years the thriving congregation had grown strong enough to be consecrated to full cathedral status on All Saints' Day of 1898. The diocese took the cathedral's name after the Diocese of Fond du Lac was carved off in 1875, and the name was changed once more to the Diocese of Milwaukee in 1886.
More than 150 years later, All Saints' Cathedral remains the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee, a prayerful and holy space described by its members as a place "where the Transcendent and ordinary meet; equipping people to go forth bringing hope, forgiveness, and healing to the world." The cathedral's long history includes the construction of a Guild Hall and school building in 1891, the establishment of a separate cathedral corporation in 1894 to manage cathedral property, and the building of an elegant bishop's manse known as "Nicholson House" in 1902 that still stands on the grounds today. The cathedral's architectural sensibilities reflect the influence of the Cambridge Camden Society, an Oxford Movement-linked organization that established guidelines for the proper arrangement of church interiors in sympathy with "catholic" theology and worship.
Sunday Worship at 8 and 10
Sunday is the heart of the week at All Saints'. Two celebrations of the Holy Eucharist take place each Sunday: a quiet spoken service at 8:00 a.m. and a principal service at 10:00 a.m. that includes prayers, a sermon, and music. Both follow the order of service and liturgy found in The Book of Common Prayer. The 10:00 a.m. service is also livestreamed on YouTube, and a video recording is uploaded shortly after the service for those wishing to tune in from home. Printable service leaflets for the upcoming Sunday are posted in advance. All baptized persons are welcome to receive Holy Communion at any of the cathedral's services.
From time to time the cathedral celebrates special occasions with Choral Eucharists on Christmas Eve and Day, Ash Wednesday, and Ascension Thursday, and additional services mark the great feasts of the church year, including the Feast of St. Francis, which is observed on the Sunday nearest October 4 with a blessing of the animals in the St. Francis Garden.
Midweek Prayer and Formation
The cathedral's life extends through the week with a rhythm of prayer, study, and fellowship that draws members and visitors deeper into the spiritual disciplines of the Episcopal tradition.
On Wednesdays at noon, a Midweek Holy Eucharist takes place in the Lady Chapel, with attendees invited to bring a bag lunch and join afterward for conversation and fellowship. The Rite of Reconciliation, also known as Confession, is offered Monday through Thursday from 5:00 to 5:25 p.m. in the confessional on the right as you enter the church; confessions are made one on one with a priest and are kept confidential, and the person confessing may remain anonymous if they choose. Evening Prayer from The Book of Common Prayer is prayed in the Lady Chapel Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 5:50 p.m., closing out the workday with a quiet liturgy.
On Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m., a Lectionary Bible Study meets in the ASC library, working through the scripture readings appointed for the coming Sunday. On Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., the cathedral hosts "All Saints' & Friends Book Study" at Haven Cafe, 1201 North Van Buren Street, where members and friends gather around a common reading. Past selections have included For Such a Time As This: An Emergency Devotional by Hanna Reichel. Each weekday morning at 9:00 a.m., members gather online for Virtual Morning Prayer via Zoom, a long-running daily prayer group.
What the Episcopal Church Believes
All Saints' Cathedral is a constituent member of the Anglican Communion, drawing from both the reformed Protestant tradition and the Catholic tradition. As the cathedral's belief statement explains, "Anglicanism is a bridge between the reformed, Protestant churches and the Catholic Church, drawing heavily from both of those traditions." Faith is guided by the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, the traditional belief of the church as stated in the Nicene Creed, and the incorporation of intellect through informed reasoning.
The cathedral upholds the three-fold orders of ministry of bishops, priests, and deacons from the Catholic tradition and recognizes the seven historic sacraments of the church: Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation, Ordination, Marriage, Anointing, and Reconciliation. The cathedral teaches that the sacramental life of the church is open to all its members regardless of gender or sexual orientation, including marriage and ordination. Both the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed are used in worship: the Apostles' Creed at baptisms and the Nicene Creed at services of Holy Communion or Eucharist. Two-thirds of The Book of Common Prayer, the cathedral's guide to worship, comes from the Old and New Testaments.
Music and the Organs
Music is integral to worship at All Saints', where its stated purpose is "the glorification of God through liturgical music offered in public worship and the enrichment of those who attend services and musical programs." The Cathedral Choir, directed by Jenny Gettel, rehearses and performs music to the highest standard, offering a ministry of time and talent twice a week by each chorister. The choir's season begins on the Sunday nearest Michaelmas Day (St. Michael and All Angels, September 29) and ends on Trinity Sunday of the following year. The choir sings Choral Eucharist on Christmas Eve and Day, Ash Wednesday, and Ascension Thursday, and Evensong as scheduled.
The cathedral provides choral scholarships for high school and college students through its Choral Scholars program, an outreach to the community that gives young musicians the chance to sing music of the Anglican tradition on a weekly basis. The cathedral's main instrument, the Pepper-Graves Memorial Cathedral Organ, anchors the gallery and has grown from 31 to 45 ranks of pipes through renovations led by Schlicker Organ Company of Buffalo, John Nolte and Sons Organ Company of Milwaukee, and current organist Lee Erickson, who designed and finished the tonal additions. The instrument features a "Zimbelstern" stop whose tiny bells sound atop the central organ case during festive hymns. The Lady Chapel Organ, a one-manual Derrick and Felgemaker organ built in 1872 and restored in 1998 by Mr. Glen Mossman, accompanies plainsong chant.
The Hunger Book Sale and Sandwich Ministry
All Saints' has been known across greater Milwaukee for the Great Hunger Book Sale, which has become the largest used book sale in the area. Held each summer in the parish complex, the sale begins with an opening night admission donation and continues free of charge for several days. Since its founding, the sale has raised more than $600,000 for hunger relief. Recent grants from the sale have gone to a wide circle of local agencies, including the Hunger Task Force, Milwaukee Rescue Mission, Capuchin Community Services (St. Ben's), the Gathering, Interchange Food Pantry, Sojourner, Repairers of the Breach, Salvation Army, Vivent Health, and many others.
Members also staff a long-running Sandwich Ministry that prepares sandwiches for distribution to those in need, and the congregation periodically runs clothing drives. A food basket at the back of the church is maintained to help the hungry in the immediate neighborhood. The cathedral's community life has also included interfaith prayer services in response to events in the city, the country, and the world.
The Cathedral Institute and Spiritual Formation
Through the Cathedral Institute, All Saints' provides spiritual formation opportunities to both the parish and the Diocese of Milwaukee. The Institute offers in-person and online programming built around the conviction that "spirituality has to do with becoming a person in the fullest sense" and that how we think about God (theology) walks around with us every day. Past offerings have included a downloadable booklet of daily Advent meditations by the Rev. Dr. Rob Slocum, Associate Dean of Virtual and On-line Formation. Members are encouraged to take up the disciplines of prayer, study, and reflection as a way of growing into "a new and right spirit."
The Columbarium and St. Francis Garden
The cathedral's narthex, or entryway, houses a columbarium that offers inurnment of ashes for members of the cathedral, their families, and other individuals within the Diocese. The columbarium was designed and constructed by The Studios of E.J. Potente in 2002, with Phase II added in 2016 by A. Fillinger Inc. Phase I on the north wall holds 104 niches, while Phase II on the south wall holds an additional 96. At the center is the Good Shepherd Shrine and the historic Kemper Altar. Following a Requiem Eucharist in the church, ashes contained in a simple urn are placed in a designated niche, and the final portion of the funeral service is prayed in the presence of family members and friends. The right to use a niche ranges from $800 to $1,400 depending on location and includes the urn, engraving of a nameplate, and inurnment.
In the cathedral's garden, a smaller sacred space known as the St. Francis Garden has been set apart as a final resting place for the cremains of beloved pets. A statue and bench donated by parishioners offer a quiet place to mourn a faithful companion. The garden, watched over by a statue of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology, is administered by the cathedral's Columbarium Board. Arrangements are made with the Dean.
Clergy, Staff, and Leadership
The Very Rev. Micah Cronin serves as Dean of All Saints' Cathedral. Fr. Micah came to the Episcopal Church as a college student and was ordained in the Diocese of New Jersey. He has served in camp ministry, psychiatric chaplaincy, and youth ministry, and he graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary. Fr. Micah is married to the Rev. Elias Henry, pastor of The Corner House, a campus ministry for university students in Milwaukee. He can be reached at father.micah@ascathedral.org.
Jenny Gettel is the Director of Music. A native of Whitefish Bay, Jenny developed her love of Episcopal liturgy and music while growing up at Christ Church in Whitefish Bay and singing in the choirs there. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Choral Education from Lawrence University and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Illinois. Before joining All Saints', Jenny served as music director at Christ Church Whitefish Bay, St. Boniface Episcopal Church in Mequon, and St. Simon the Fisherman Episcopal Church in Port Washington. She teaches voice at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, Concordia University Wisconsin, and her home studio.
Mr. Lee Erickson is the cathedral organist. A former Director of the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus and holder of the Margaret Hawkins Chorus Director Chair, Lee has been associated with All Saints' as supply organist for many years and has overseen substantial upgrades to the cathedral organ. The Rev. Michael "Tad" Parks serves as Canon Emeritus; he was ordained a deacon at the cathedral in January 2003 and ordained to the priesthood in July 2003 after a long career as a CPA and as Paymaster of Milwaukee County. The Rev. Dr. Rob Slocum serves as Associate Dean of Virtual and On-line Formation and preaches regularly at the cathedral.
Worshiping, Serving, Connecting, Welcoming
The cathedral's stated core values of worshiping, serving, connecting, and welcoming reflect the rhythm of its common life. While the services are filled with ancient traditions, the All Saints' community is described as open, informal, and welcoming to all: a diverse group representing different educational and socio-economic backgrounds, political beliefs, and prior faith traditions, united in faith and fellowship. The cathedral building is rented for weddings, funerals, concerts, and other events. Sunday services are followed by a coffee hour, and the cathedral hosts the annual Hunger Book Sale, the Sandwich Ministry, and a number of community events throughout the year. On Friday evenings in warmer months, members gather on the lawn for Fire Pit and S'mores, with s'mores supplies provided.
Sunday services are livestreamed on YouTube, and recordings of past services are kept in an online archive. Those wishing to give to All Saints' Cathedral may do so online through Tithe.ly or by signing a pledge card during the annual Stewardship campaign. The cathedral office is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.