St. Alban's Anglican Church (Ottawa)
Encyclopedia
St. Albans Anglican Church is an Anglican parish in the Sandy Hill
neighbourhood of Ottawa
, Canada
. It is Ottawa's oldest surviving church building and one of its most historic. The original Gothic Revival design for the church was done by Thomas Fuller
, who also designed Canada's original Parliament Buildings
. Thomas Fuller
worked on the design of the church with King Arnoldi (1843-1904). The cornerstone of the church was laid on May 9, 1867. Construction of the church began in 1867 and it was completed in 1877.
However, the location of the church, at the corner of King Edward and Daly (454 King Edward Avenue), is on a steep hill and Fuller's elaborate plans had to be greatly scaled back. The church was attended by many of Canada's early political leaders, including Sir John A. Macdonald
.
The church's namesake is Saint Alban
, who was the first British Christian martyr. He was martyred for "harbouring and sheltering the oppressed and terrified" (Michael W. Newton, The Parish of St. Alban the Martyr, Ottawa 1865-1877).
. In 2010, the parish of St. Albans (in partnership with her sister church, St. George's) entered into negotiations with the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa
regarding the buildings and assets of both parishes. In February, 2011, the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa
and parishes of St. Albans and St. George's came to a without prejudice agreement. Under that agreement, the parish of St. Albans would relocate and would change its name,and the parish of St. George's would retain their building and change their name. The old parish of St. Albans is now known as Church of the Messiah (Ottawa).
The Anglican Diocese of Ottawa
regained possession of the building and name of St. Albans church on July 1, 2011.
The new congregation of St. Albans is a spirit-led, Christ-centred, contemporary urban church. It is an affirming community where all are now welcome regardless of sexual orientation, gender, age or income.
The current rector is the Reverend Mark Whittall.
Sandy Hill
Sandy Hill is a bilingual neighbourhood in Ottawa, Ontario located just east of downtown. The neighbourhood is bordered on the west by the Rideau Canal and on the east by the Rideau River. To the north it stretches to Rideau Street and the Byward Market area while to the south it is bordered by...
neighbourhood of Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is Ottawa's oldest surviving church building and one of its most historic. The original Gothic Revival design for the church was done by Thomas Fuller
Thomas Fuller (architect)
Thomas Fuller was a Canadian architect.He was born in Bath, Somerset , where he trained as an architect. Living in Bath and London he did a number of projects. In 1845 he left for Antigua, where he spent two years working on a new cathedral before emigrating to Canada in 1857...
, who also designed Canada's original Parliament Buildings
Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill , colloquially known as The Hill, is an area of Crown land on the southern banks of the Ottawa River in downtown Ottawa, Ontario. Its Gothic revival suite of buildingsthe parliament buildings serves as the home of the Parliament of Canada and contains a number of architectural...
. Thomas Fuller
Thomas Fuller (architect)
Thomas Fuller was a Canadian architect.He was born in Bath, Somerset , where he trained as an architect. Living in Bath and London he did a number of projects. In 1845 he left for Antigua, where he spent two years working on a new cathedral before emigrating to Canada in 1857...
worked on the design of the church with King Arnoldi (1843-1904). The cornerstone of the church was laid on May 9, 1867. Construction of the church began in 1867 and it was completed in 1877.
However, the location of the church, at the corner of King Edward and Daly (454 King Edward Avenue), is on a steep hill and Fuller's elaborate plans had to be greatly scaled back. The church was attended by many of Canada's early political leaders, including Sir John A. Macdonald
John A. Macdonald
Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...
.
The church's namesake is Saint Alban
Saint Alban
Saint Alban was the first British Christian martyr. Along with his fellow saints Julius and Aaron, Alban is one of three martyrs remembered from Roman Britain. Alban is listed in the Church of England calendar for 22 June and he continues to be venerated in the Anglican, Catholic, and Orthodox...
, who was the first British Christian martyr. He was martyred for "harbouring and sheltering the oppressed and terrified" (Michael W. Newton, The Parish of St. Alban the Martyr, Ottawa 1865-1877).
Recent History
On 16 February 2008, the congregation of St. Albans voted to request alternative episcopal oversight from the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, joining the Anglican Network in CanadaAnglican Network in Canada
The Anglican Network in Canada is a Canadian church established in 2005 under the jurisdiction of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, a province of the Anglican Communion...
. In 2010, the parish of St. Albans (in partnership with her sister church, St. George's) entered into negotiations with the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa
Anglican Diocese of Ottawa
The Diocese of Ottawa is a diocese of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario of the Anglican Church of Canada, itself a province of the Anglican Communion.-Bishops of Ottawa:...
regarding the buildings and assets of both parishes. In February, 2011, the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa
Anglican Diocese of Ottawa
The Diocese of Ottawa is a diocese of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario of the Anglican Church of Canada, itself a province of the Anglican Communion.-Bishops of Ottawa:...
and parishes of St. Albans and St. George's came to a without prejudice agreement. Under that agreement, the parish of St. Albans would relocate and would change its name,and the parish of St. George's would retain their building and change their name. The old parish of St. Albans is now known as Church of the Messiah (Ottawa).
The Anglican Diocese of Ottawa
Anglican Diocese of Ottawa
The Diocese of Ottawa is a diocese of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario of the Anglican Church of Canada, itself a province of the Anglican Communion.-Bishops of Ottawa:...
regained possession of the building and name of St. Albans church on July 1, 2011.
Current Congregation
In March, 2011, a small group of people - the new congregation of St. Albans - began meeting and planning for the re-launch of St. Albans. On July 3, 2011, the new congregation began worshiping in the church building at the corner of King Edward and Daly. Services are at 10:00am every Sunday. Arts-based children's programming is offered every Sunday.The new congregation of St. Albans is a spirit-led, Christ-centred, contemporary urban church. It is an affirming community where all are now welcome regardless of sexual orientation, gender, age or income.
The current rector is the Reverend Mark Whittall.