All Saints Church has stood at the corner of North Market and East Snyder Streets in Selinsgrove for over a full century. What stories this beautiful church could tell of the years that have passed since that day in 1899 when the foundations were laid and the building began to take shape. Today, the floodlit tower serves as a beacon in the night hours. The Celtic cross high atop the tower proclaims the Lord of Life whose spirit equips the members of All Saints for ministry and growth.
Mary Kittera Snyder, founder of All Saints made a lasting gift to Selinsgrove. The church stands as a tribute to Miss Snyder’s grandfather Simon Snyder, third governor of Pennsylvania. Governor Snyder served from 1808 to 1817. Upon retirement, he lived in the Snyder Mansion near the church until his death in 1819.

Mary Snyder was a woman well ahead of her time. After financial misfortune caused her to move from Selinsgrove to Philadelphia, where she undertook the care of an invalid aunt and conducted a private school. It must have been a considerable wrench to leave the stately Kittera mansion in Philadelphia and return to the village of Selinsgrove. But Miss Snyder was a woman of shrewd determination, vision, and above all faith! Upon the death of her aunt, Anne Kittera, a deed to land in Illinois was discovered among Miss Kittera’s papers. The deed was proved and Mary’s fortune was restored. She rapidly set to work upon what must have been a resolution long standing. She would build an Episcopal church to the glory of God where the sacraments would be celebrated according to the Book of Common Prayer which she loved and which directed her life.

All Saints Church appearing in its familiar form was no mistake. Books, found in Miss Snyder’s library, reveal a deep interest in all things Anglican. Thus, All Saints was built in the form of a cross, in what is called the Cruciform shape. The interior recalls the ancient manner of dividing churches into three parts - nave, chancel, and sanctuary. The beautiful stained glass windows are rich in symbolism. Above the altar is a Gothic arch containing, in stained glass, the symbols Alpha and Omega, reminiscent of our Lord’s words, "I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and last, the beginning and the end."

The great round window in the west end of the church contains four large circular panels, with a dominant flower motif. These floral panes can be taken to symbolize the Virgin Mary and serve to remind us that it is our vocation to care for all living things that they may blossom and flower to the glory of God.

Mary Snyder kept the construction of All Saints under careful supervision visiting the site several times every day. She took special pride in ringing the great bell which carries the name of Simon Snyder. As she happily pulled the bell-rope, she was heard to exclaim, "Listen to the Governor now, listen to the Governor." The “Governor” still speaks announcing all services in the church.

One of Mary Snyder’s fondest hopes was to have the church dedicated on All Saints Day in 1900. However, she died in her home on July 27th of that year. Her funeral was the first service in the nearly complete edifice. The total cost of the project was $5,027.38.