Our Story - The Body of Christ in All Saints Church

The Beginning
In the year 1887, the Reverend Patrick Donahue, pastor of Saint Patrick's Church in Thompsonville purchased one acre of land in Somersville, Connecticut for a Catholic Church. The purchases price was four hundred dollars.

Mission Church
On August 29, 1887, Father  Donahue purchased the old Congregational Church in Somersville from the  Somersville Manufacturing company for five hundred dollars.

All Saints Corporation
On December 22, 1888 corporation papers were submitted to the Secretary of State's office in Connecticut under the name of All Saints Church. Bishop Lawrence McMahon, Hartford Dioceses, James Hughes, Vicar-General Hartford Dioceses, Reverend John Synnott Pastor of Saint Bernard's Church, Michael Buckley and Juleo Morin Trustees signed this document. On December 26, 1888, said papers were received and filed.

First Mass
The first Mass in All Saints Mission Church was celebrated on March 31, 1888 by Father John Synnott. This is where we began as a Parish Family. This is where our story begins.  Father Synnott labored for many years traveling from Hazardville to Somersville by horse to celebrate Mass, hear confessions and raise funds for a new church. At the time of his arrival there were 325 souls in the mission church. These 325 souls were the roots of our church. These were the people who, even with low incomes, built All Saints Church. Not just the building, but the spirit.

Corner Stone
Bishop Tierney laid the corner stone for the new church  on July 18, 1897. 

Dedication Mass 
On Sunday January 16, 1898 Bishop Tierney dedicated the new All Saints Church and administered confirmation.

Our Pastor Today

Reverend Roland C. Cloutier, ACSW, LCSW - Appointed Pastor of All Saints Parish, August 1, 2010.

"I was born in Woonsocket, RI at an early age. The last of seven children. We had little when I grew up and I still have most of it." -- Father Roland

Father Roland was ordained a priest on May 19, 1966. A native of Woonsocket, Rhode Island he graduated from Our Lady of Providence Seminary High School in Warwick, RI. He received his bachelor of arts degree from Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, CT. He later graduated from St. Mary Seminary & University.  Father Roland's post-graduate degrees also include a Masters in Counseling from St. Joseph College in West Hartford, CT and a Masters in Social Work from the UCONN School of Social Work in West Hartford, CT. Father Roland also carries the professional designations of ACSW as a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers and LCSW as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He has been a counselor, supervisor and and a Director of the Mental Health Clinic for Catholic Charities/Catholic Family Services in Norwich.

Father Roland has served in roles of Parochial Vicar, Co-Pastor and Pastor at many Connecticut parishes including the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich,  Saint Agnes in Niantic, Saint Mary in Willimantic, Saint Paul in Waterford,  Saint Mary in Norwich, Holy Family Parish in Hebron, Saint Mary in Putnam and currently here at All Saints Church in Somersville, CT.