About St. Alban's

Here is some history and information about St. Alban's, beginning with the formation of the congregation. If you have any information to add to this section, or if you see any discrepancies or errors, please contact me. Special thanks to Jim Cater for providing the majority of this information.

St. Alban's congregation was officially formed on July 1, 1952 by Rev. E. M. Bishop. It was part of the Parish of Grand Falls, which consisted of three congregations: Holy Triniy (Grand Falls), St. Andrew's (Bishop's Falls), and St. Alban's (Windsor). Rev. Bishop was the priest in charge of the parish at that time. Although the Anglican people of Windsor and Grand Falls formed one congregation, occasionally services of worship were conducted in the Windsor area. The first recorded service was held on May 13, 1930, at the Anglican School building, which, at the time, was situated near the railway crossing and commonly referred to as the "Station School". Then, in 1955, Rev. R. S. Sheppard became the Rector for the Parish of Grand Falls.

        On January 10, 1961, the Rector appointed Mr. Wesley Oldford as convenor of a building committee for the erection of a new church. At a congregational meeting on February 7, 1961, the following people were appointed to the building committee: Mr. Wesley Oldford (Convenor)
                  Mr. Thomas Abbott
                  Mr. Isaac Waye
                  Mr. G. Drover
                  Mr. Gerald Gill
                  Mr. Jesse Ralph

On March 16, Mr. A. Noel was added to the committee. When the building committee and the Select Vestry finally agreed on a floor plan, they chose Mr. Fred Colbourne, an architect from St. John's, to do the plans and specifications. The building committee and vestry agreed that the church would be built by paid labour under a supervising foreman. Construction was started in early summer of 1961. On October 15, 1961, on a Sunday afternoon, the corner stone was laid, by Bishop J. A. Meadon. The church building was completed in September, 1962.the final cost of construction being approximately $100,000. The dedication, under the name St. Alban's, was performed by Rt. Rev. J. A. Meaden on September 30, 1962.

Then, in 1968, Rev. E. Leyte became the new Rector for the Grand Falls parish. While he was the presiding Rector, St. Alban's was consecrated. The ceremony was performed by Bishop Rev. W. Gordon Legge, on June 21, 1974.

In 1979, the Parish of Grand Falls was divided into two independent parishes - the Parish of Grand Falls (consisting of the congregation of Holy Trinity) and the Parish of Windsor - Bishop's Falls (made up of St. Alban's congregation and St. Andrew's congregation). The first service of this newly formed parish was held on June 3, 1979, and the first Rector was Rev. Boyd Morgan, who remained there until 1983. The source of institution and induction with Holy Eucharist was held on Wednesday, October 9, 1979. Bishop Mark Genge presided during the service. Rectors of the Windsor - Bishop's Falls parish to follow Rev. Morgan were: Rev. Charles Green (1983-1995), Rev. David Hewitt (1995-2001), and Rev. Dennis Newhook (2001- present)

In 1984, the proposal to build a church hall onto St. Alban's was approved. Construction began in 1987, and the hall was completed in 1988. The hall was dedicated on September 21, 1988, by Bishop Edward Marsh. It was to be named the Joe Warren Auditorium. In 1996, the mortage of St. Alban's Church and the Joe Warren Auditorium was terminated and a mortage burning ceremony was held on Thursday, November 28. The "burning" was performed by the former Rector, Rev. Charles Green, and the Rector presiding at that time, Rev. David Hewitt.

Current and former Licensed Lay Ministers of St. Alban's Church are:

                   Robert Cross (50 year certificate, deceased)
                   Albert Noel (50 year certificate)
                   Jean Porter
                   Roy Hynes
                   Ivan George
                   Molly Collett
                   Pat Rideout

The first baptism, burial, and marriage of the Parish of Windsor - Bishop's Falls were on:

                    First baptism: Timothy Shawn Gogues, June 10th
                    First burial: David Lorne Hart, June 11th
                    First marriage: James Anderson and Ann Bannister

Our men's group have existed in our church since 1954. It began with the A.C.A.A., Branch 61, but that ended in 1981. Then, in 1985, the current Brotherhood of Anglican Churchmen (B.A.C.) was formed. Current and former presidents of the men's groups in St. Alban's are:

                   A.C.A.A.:
                   John Waye (1954-1962, 1966-1969)
                   Charles Hunt (1962-1963)
                   Joe Warren (1963-1966, 1972-1973)
                   James Cater (1969-1971)
                   Eugene Toope (1971-1972)
                   Derick Cross (1973-1975)
                   Norman Ralph (1975-1978)
                   Roy Martin (1978-1979, 1980-1981)
                   Ellis Cross (1979-1980)

                   BAC:
                   Bruce Collett (1985-1986, 1990-1991, 2000-2001)
                   Harry Reid (1986-1987)
                   Onias Ralph (1987-1988, 1989-1990)
                   Len Durdle (1988-1989)
                   Joseph Keats (1991-1994, 1998-1999)
                   James Cater (1994-1997)
                   Russell Rodgers (1997-1998)
                   Craig Turner (1999-2000)

St. Alban's women's groups began in 1963(?) and it was called the Anglican Church Women's Association (A.C.W.A.). But in 1976?, its name was changed to the Anglican Church Women (A.C.W.). Former and current presidents of the women's group are:

                   A.C.W.A.:
                   Hazel Braye (1963?-1964?)
                   Edna Cross (1964-1967, 1968-1969)
                   Winnie S. Goodyear (1967-1968)
                   Irene Parsons (1969-1971)
                   Evelyn Fizzard (1971-1972)
                   Pearl Cater (1972-1974?)
                   Pearl Norris (1974-1978)
                   Virginia Morris (1978-1984)

                   A.C.W.
                   Yvonne Short
                   Jean Porter
                   Molly Collett
                   Shirley Hewitt
                   Pat Rideout

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