St Alban, Hornchurch

Introduction

Bishop Doubleday laid the foundation stone of St Alban's Church Hall on 3 September 1939, the day war was declared; architects were Messrs Burles, Harris & Collings and contractors Myall Bros.

History

St Alban's Church Hall was damaged by bombing on 6 August 1944. A new Parish Priest took office on 2 November 1991, the first diocesan priest to hold the office. The site at Elm Park was conveyed to the Diocese of Brentwood on 21 February 1939. Father Marcello Bano was appointed as first Priest-in-Charge in February 1949. Plans for a new church were produced by Messrs Sterrett & Blouet of Westminster in May 1950.

Architecture and furnishings

The Parish Centre (St Alban's Catholic Social Club) opened adjacent to St Alban's Church in March 1969. An extension to the Parish Centre was opened on 6 July 1974. An extension to the Church Hall was built in 1953. In early 1957, the priests moved into the new Presbytery at 1 Ullswater Way, built at the expense of the Verona Fathers.

Messrs J. Leary of Stratford constructed the church to designs by David Rodney Burles of Messrs Burles Newton. The permanent church, which seats 400, was built at a cost of £33,585 paid by the Diocese of Brentwood. The design was inspired by the Church of San Zeno in Verona.

The bell was blessed with oil of Chrism and named Alban on 11 December 2020. An assistant priest who was a composer of liturgical music served at the parish.

Parish life

After a child's Holy Communion day, they are invited to a Going Forth Mass and the May procession. The confirmation programme is available to candidates in year 10 and above.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Couples planning marriage are asked to contact the parish priest at least 6 months before the hoped-for wedding date. On 12 June 2022, the bishop visited the parish to confirm 29 young people.

Notable people and events

A deacon was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on 5 July 2014 to serve in the parish. Father Grace died on 1 August 1990, having served at Elm Park for 20 years as Parish Priest (1950-1956) and Assistant Priest (1976-1990). A Requiem Mass for Father Polato was held on 15 January 1987, after his death at the Verona Fathers' house in Ardrossan, Scotland.

Visiting

The Parish of St Alban, Elm Park, was formally erected on 10 March 1951 and entrusted to the Verona Fathers. Father John Cotta was appointed as 2nd Priest-in-Charge in March 1949. In 1974-1975 the parish built 2 houses in Langdale Gardens as accommodation for teachers. In September 1968 the parish purchased a mobile classroom to educate children unable to gain admission to local Catholic primary schools.

The Friends of St Alban's Association was established in 1972 to assist school fund-raising. A new Catholic Chapel at R.A.F. Hornchurch was dedicated to St George on 29 September 1952, served from Elm Park when an R.A.F. Chaplain was unavailable.