St. Alban's Episcopal Church (Washington, D.C.)

St. Alban's Episcopal Church (Washington, D.C.)

St. Alban's Episcopal Church is a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington located in Washington, D.C., United States. Established in 1854, it is situated on the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral, commonly referred to as the Cathedral Close. The church is known for its rich history, inclusive worship, and its mission-driven approach to community and education.

History

St. Alban’s was originally founded as a "free church"—one open to all and not dependent upon rented pews—in 1854. The church was named for St. Alban, regarded as the first British Christian martyr. From its inception, St. Alban’s maintained a mission-minded philosophy, leading to the establishment of five mission churches across Washington, D.C. The parish also sponsored missionaries in Asia, Alaska, and other regions.[1]

The church was founded on land once owned by the Nourse family, notably Joseph Nourse, the first Register of the United States Treasury. Joseph Nourse’s estate, which he called Mount Alban, later became the site of St. Alban's Church. The formal founding of the church is tied to Phoebe Nourse, the devout daughter of Charles Nourse, who left $40 in gold (equivalent to approximately $4,000 today) to Rev. Ten Broeck with instructions to build a church on the site. Her bequest, supplemented by local donors and proceeds from her botanical watercolors, allowed for the construction of a wooden church designed by architect Frank Wills. Ground was broken in 1851, and the building became a center of Episcopal worship in the area.[2] In the late 19th century St. Alban's was instrumental in the foundation of the National Cathedral with which it now shares its grounds.[1]

By the early 20th century, St. Alban’s had become a dynamic spiritual hub in the capital. It played a foundational role in establishing other Episcopal congregations, including:

Mission and Community Life

St. Alban’s remains committed to its founding values of openness and service. It is known for its large, diverse congregation and offers a broad range of educational and spiritual formation programs for all ages. St. Alban's is also well known for its many active outreach programs which serve hundreds in the Washington, D.C. metroplex daily.[3] The church frequently hosts lectures and discussions with prominent theologians and scholars, including Rowan Williams, Sarah Coakley, James Alison, and Amy-Jill Levine.

The church's location on the National Cathedral Close—one of the most prominent religious precincts in the United States—adds to its visibility and influence within the Episcopal Church. Despite occupying just over an acre of land, St. Alban’s has a large regional reach and many of its rectors have gone on to serve as prominent bishops in the Episcopal Church.[1]

Architecture and Grounds

St. Alban's is a well preserved example of the 19th century Ecclesiological Movement, being designed by the official architect of the New York Ecclesiology Society, Frank Wills.[1]

See also

  1. ^ a b c d Cline, Ruth Harwood (2009). Church at the Crossroads: A History of St. Alban's Parish, Washington, DC, 1854–2004. Posterity Press.
  2. ^ a b "History". St. Alban's. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  3. ^ "St. Alban's Episcopal Church | Episcopal Asset Map". www.episcopalassetmap.org. Retrieved 2025-05-21.

38°55′39″N 77°04′16″W / 38.9276°N 77.0710°W / 38.9276; -77.0710

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