Ss. Alban and Stephen

Introduction

The parish began in 1876 when a small church was built in London Road, dedicated to Ss Alban & Stephen in 1878.

History

In 1899, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart were invited to take charge of the mission of St Albans. The church was solemnly consecrated on 4 May 1977 after construction of a new presbytery and parish centre and with all debts cleared.

Architecture and furnishings

In the mid-1960s, side aisles were added, the church was lengthened towards the railway, and the tower was added. In 2005, the church roof and all the top windows were replaced. In 2013, the Sacred Heart Centre was opened following a complete renovation of the meeting rooms and hall. The current church was built in Beaconsfield Road in 1903 and dedicated and blessed on New Year's Day 1905.

Music and liturgy

The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart were founded by a diocesan priest, Fr Jules Chevalier, in Issoudun, France, in 1854. He envisioned three groups working together to fulfil his mission: Religious men and women, an association of diocesan priests, and a group of Laity. A more detailed history of the parish from the first beginnings in 1840 and of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in St Albans since 1899 has been written by one of the late parishioners, James Corbett. In 1959, a Mass centre started at Skyswood Primary School and later transferred to St John Fisher’s School.

In June 2019 the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart reluctantly decided to hand the parish back to the pastoral care of Westminster Archdiocese. Since the beginning of 2018 three members of the St Albans MSC community had died. The MSCs simply did not have enough priests to provide continued ministry in St Albans. This is a very active parish with over 40 groups serving its various needs.

From the 1970s there has been a continuing outreach to other churches. Many small Christian communities meet to share their understanding of the Faith. The St Albans Group of the Lay Chevalier Family remains allied to the MSC Irish Province and is committed to keeping parishioners informed about the Spirituality of the Heart. The group meets on a regular basis for prayer and reflection.

The group enjoys close links with members of the European Lay members of the Chevalier family. A group sells fairtrade goods after weekend masses. A group provides gifts to disadvantaged children.

Parish life

Parish Friends helps vulnerable parishioners with activities including Sunday tea parties, film shows, a Knit and Natter group, and arranging visitors and lifts to Sunday Mass for elderly, lonely or housebound parishioners. Family in Faith (FiF) is offered to all primary-aged families from year 3, providing regular opportunities for families to understand what it is to be part of the Church. In the Journey to Reconciliation and Journey to the Eucharist, parents lead their child through 11 sessions using parent guides and interactive child books.

The RCIA programme is for any adult interested in being baptised, being received into the full communion of the Catholic Church, or for a Catholic who was never confirmed when young. FiF Youth is open to all teenagers in year 9 and year 10 who wish to live as a disciple of the Lord.

Regular events

The Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation group marks the Season of Creation, a 5-week global ecumenical celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home, starting each year on 1 September and finishing on the feast of Saint Francis.