History of St. Albans Episcopal Church, Wilmington, Delaware
In 1958 the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware established a mission to the rapidly growing area of Brandywine Hundred. In June of that year Bishop Mosley appointed the newly ordained deacon, John W. Shackleton, as Vicar of the St. Albans mission on Wilson Road. Thirty-six charter members attended the first service in the Shackleton's living room while a parish hall and church school building were under construction on four acres of land provided by the Diocese. (An additional six acres were purchased by the parish the following year.) The Mission was dedicated in April, 1959, and John Shackleton was ordained to the priesthood.
In January 1963 St. Alban's Mission became the Parish of St. Albans with John Shackleton as its first rector. In the spring of that year construction began on the sanctuary. After four years of worshiping from folding chairs, the congregation gathered in the new space for Thanksgiving services in November, 1963. John Shackleton retired in 1969, leaving a flourishing congregation functioning in a group of buildings that provide space for worship, Christian education, fellowship and administration.
The next priest to serve St. Albans as rector was Leo J. Barrett. St. Albans expanded its membership, outreach, education and pastoral care. The Rev. Barrett left in 1979.
Thomas H. Phillips accepted our call in November, 1980 with a zeal for the Gospel and an evangelist's desire to grow the church. Youth and enthusiasm were assets in spreading the Good News. During Tom's tenure outreach was expanded, adult and youth Christian education programs were developed, and a memorial garden was created for the remains of deceased members.
As part of the 25th anniversary celebration, the parish raised over $43,000 in our Quarter Century Renewal Fund drive, generating the capital for renovations and repairs. Tom also made the decision to hire our first professional choir director/organist, Wilson Somers, a gifted musician, who held the post for eight years and was succeeded by Robert Imbt.
When in 1989 Tom Phillips accepted a call to another church, he left a congregation stronger, with members more committed to one another.
When Paul E. Daggett accepted the call to St. Albans, we were blessed with a pastor who helped us to pull together as Christ's Church while honoring our individual differences. Paul not only preached the Christian life, he lived it. He was loving, caring and accepting. He drew people to life in Christ, never pushing them. During Paul's tenure the concept of a five parish convocation took shape.
Feeling that he had completed his work at St. Albans, Paul accepted a call to another church.
St. Albans entered an exciting new phase in 2001 with the calling of Roy Tripp to serve as our rector. Roy brought a warm personality and dramatic flair which enlivened our services. In 2007 Roy accepted the call to another church.
The membership has grown and changed over the past years. We still have some of those original living-room worshippers with us. Four individuals raised in our parish grew up to become priests, one of them the first woman ordained to the priesthood in our diocese. This parish has flourished under a variety of leaders, benefiting from their gifts and learning from their short comings. We are now seeking a new rector under the guidance of our Interim Rector, the Rev. James Wolford.