The Rev. Trey Garland, the 14th rector of the Parish of All Saints, Ashmont, is a travelin’ man. Born in Houston, educated there and in Michigan (with a semester in Austria), he tended flocks of congregants in Texas, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, and Illinois before arriving in Dorchester last January to succeed The Rev. Michael J. Godderz, who retired in 2024, and The Rev. John Clarke, who had been serving as interim rector at 209 Ashmont St.
What does he make of things after six months on the job?
The diversity in Dorchester, both in and outside his church, is striking, he said. “All Saints is a wonderful mix of West Indies, Caribbean, some Anglo. It’s just a great place, and it’s very much a welcoming church. It’s gay, straight, trans, we got a little bit of everything, and that’s what I love about it. It’s got a wonderful mix.”
Garland has gotten to know the ways and means of parish life as he continues to meet more community members. Just last month, he greeted his new neighbors while passing out water during Dorchfest. “We’ve played a part in the community; we want to continue to do that and continue to strengthen our ties with Ashmont Adams and the greater community as well,” he said in an interview with The Reporter…