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Brief History of Saint Alban's Episcopal Church, Davidson, North Carolina.
The first Episcopalians to settle in Davidson, North Carolina, arrived in the late 19th century. Following World War II, priests from neighboring towns held services on campus for the townspeople and Episcopal students, and shortly before Christmas 1955, St. Alban’s was established as a mission church. The first regular service was held on February 6, 1956.
Groundbreaking for a new chapel took place on November 8, 1956. The cornerstone was laid on our 53-seat Lorimer Street chapel on Easter Sunday, April 21, 1957. St. Alban’s was served by a succession of priests serving on a part-time basis. Everything changed in late 1993 when the Vestry of St. Alban’s decided to use the mission church’s “saved resources” to call a full-time priest – truly a step of faith for what was then a small congregation.
As a “Venture of Faith”, The Reverend Gary Steber was called and arrived in November, 1994, breathing new life into St. Alban’s. The church grew twofold in 1995, had tripled in 1996, qualified for “parish” status in 1997, and added an Associate Rector. Having outgrown its space, the last service at St. Alban’s Chapel was August 16, 1998. The weekly family service and Sunday School was moved to Calvary Presbyterian Church on South Street.
As a second “Venture of Faith” of even greater magnitude, the congregation decided in 1999 to build a new church. The groundbreaking for new St. Alban’s church on St. Alban’s Lane took place on May 21, 2000, and the joyous consecration followed in October 2001. The new building houses the sanctuary, a bell tower, offices, education and preschool areas, a playground and plenty of parking. This new physical space allows St. Alban’s to reach out to those in need and spread the Good News as never before. The Reverend David E. Buck. D.Min., has served as Rector since August, 2007.
Saint Alban's Episcopal Church gained national attention in 2014 with the gift and installation of the sculpture Homeless Jesus, the work of Canadian artist Timothy Schmaltz. The church is known for its ministry at Davidson College, the fine preschool, the concert series Music at St. Alban's, and the many outreach ministries to the marginalized of the area.
Statement of Values
1) We value and promote the notion and the reality that our parish provides for all true seekers a spiritual home, practical help and eternal hope in Christ.
2) We value and attempt to embody the call to radical welcome, justice and full inclusivity, with respect to ethnicity, social status, gender, political persuasion and sexual orientation.
3) We value and declare the worth of all ages, cradle to the grave, and the importance of faith development, beginning in infancy and extending throughout life.
4) We value transparent, direct, and civil communication among all groups and individuals in the parish, and eschew relational triangling, secretive coalitions and gossip.
5) We value and seek to develop collegiality and teaming over authoritative approaches to leadership, at all levels of parish life, beginning with the priests and Vestry.
6) We value and urge full engagement by each layperson, upholding the lofty expectation that each one will find at least one niche of service “inside” the walls of the parish, and at least one outside.
7) We value and seek to nudge all members toward a permanent orientation and life rhythm of weekly “gathering to worship” and daily “scattering to serve.”
8) We value and remain committed to The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion as our faith heritage, while fully honoring and cooperating with ecumenical and interfaith communities.
9) We value in worship the delicate “dance” and balance of dignity, enthusiasm, inspiring music, interaction, spontaneity, relevance, sacramental holiness, aesthetics, structure, and God’s presence.
10) We value and we seek to enhance the reputation of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church as a progressive parish that promotes the Arts, embraces Science, serves the community, and follows Christ.
Worship times
The children will join their parents during the 10:30am service at the passing of the peace.
FB Live Stream: https://www.facebook.com/StAlbansDavidson/
Volunteer opportunities
We have volunteer opportunities available in children ministries, music ministries and outreach ministries.
Ministries
CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY
· Children’s Sunday School
· PreK - 5th Grade Sunday School is offered each week, available to members and non-members, and follows the local public school calendar.
· Middle and High School Youth
· St. Alban’s offers youth an opportunity to serve our local parish, the community, and the world. We participate in service projects, take mission trips, and simply have fun all in the name of Christ. We value the ideals of the larger body of St. Alban’s. We also believe, as our Episcopal signs read, “All are welcome.” Youth Sunday school is held each Sunday at 10:15.
· Children’s Choir
· St. Alban’s Children’s Choir serves children in grades 1-5, and incorporates the Royal School of Church Music's 'Voice for Life' curriculum, and embraces the diverse elements of world music. The Children's Choir sings once a month at the 10:30 a.m. Eucharist and rehearses every Wednesday from 4:15 - 5:00 p.m. during the school year.
· Vacation Bible School
· Vacation Bible school is held for one week each summer from 9-12, and is open to ALL children in the community.
· Weekday Preschool
· The Weekday Preschool serves 75 to 80 children each school year who are two, three and four years in age, from within the parish and the larger community. Scholarships are available for those in financial need.
· La Escuelita San Alban
· Based at Cornelius Presbyterian Church but an outreach of St. Alban’s, La Escuelita San Alban serves Latino/Hispanic children who come from Spanish-speaking homes and need kindergarten readiness. Scholarships are available for those in financial need.
ADVOCACY/OUTREACH/EVANGELISM
St. Alban's Ministry in terms of Advocacy/Outreach/Evangelism includes the following:
- Advocacy for and outreach to the educational needs of young children: Participation in the Augustine Project, collection and distribution of back to school supplies, support of the Davidson Cornelius Child Development Center, founding operation of La Escuelita San Alban, support for the Learn Works Bridge afterschool tutoring program at the Ada Jenkins Center, support for Thompson Child and Family Focus, and stocking the Uniform Closet at Winding Spring's Elementary School, a high poverty school.
- Advocacy for and outreach to families in crisis: Support for families through the Life Compass Program at the Ada Jenkins Center, being a founding partner of the Lake Norman Domestic Violence Program, advocating and working for expanded services for the homeless in North Mecklenburg, and serving regularly at the Mooresville Soup Kitchen.
- Advocacy for and outreach to refugees and immigrants through Galilee Ministries of East Charlotte, and La Escuelita San Alban and its programs for parents.
- Advocacy for the poor, and expressing Jesus' solidarity with the poor through the placement of Homeless Jesus Sculptures around the world.
SEEDS COMMUNITY GARDEN
Seeds Community Garden provides a place for people from the church or community to garden and share at least 10% of the organically grown food to others in need. Seeds gardeners get to know each other better while weeding and watering, and sitting to rest together in our Adirondack chairs.
DONATION COORDINATION AND DISTRIBUTION
St. Alban's serves as a collection point for:
- food for the local Loaves and Fishes food pantry.
- blankets for those in need, distributed through soup kitchens, the local police department and in person.
- coats and clothing, distributed through Lydia's Loft.
- children's Christmas gifts, provided by parishioners for the town Angel Tree Program.
- Thanksgiving dinners, distributed through the Ada Jenkins Community Center.
- financial resources to support the Back to School Blast.
- Buddy Packs for victims of domestic violence, distributed by church members through the Lake Norman Domestic Violence Program.
MISSION TRIPS AND PARTNERSHIPS
St. Alban's has a longstanding relationship with the Episcopal Diocese of Costa Rica, and Congrecion Cristo Resucitado in Heredia. The church provided seed money for the Hogar Escuela Heredia, operated by the Diocese of Costa Rica, and has sponsored or been involved with a number of mission trips to Costa Rica for both adults and youth.
We also sponsor youth attendance and participation in HUGS Camp.
St. Alban's was a founding partner in Galilee Ministries of East Charlotte, an Episcopal Outreach to refugees. We continue to be active through funding, providing volunteers, and participating in work days.
St. Alban's La Escuelita San Alban is a member of the Las Escuelitas Partnership, which also includes La Escuelita at Holy Comforter in Charlotte, and La Escuelita San Marcos in Huntersville.
Through a local non-profit founded by St. Alban's members, Friends of Jesus Christ, St. Alban's helps to support ministry to Syrian refugees who are in refugee camps in Bulgaria.
We also have a strong relationship with Davidson College. The Rev. Greg McIntyre is the Episcopal Campus Minister, and the congregation provides students with meals on Sundays after the Canterbury Worship Service. There also is much "traffic" between the church and the college for lectures, special events and outreach opportunities.
301 Caldwell Lane
Davidson, NC 28036
United States
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