Discover

St. Alban’s

Founded near beautiful Sabino Canyon in 1964, St. Alban's embodies the spirit of our namesake, Britain's first Christian martyr. We're a community growing in three dimensions: upward in our relationship with God through worship, inward through meaningful connections with one another, and outward through service to our neighbors.

Here, timeless traditions blend with contemporary expressions, creating a place where everyone belongs. Join us as faith, hope, and love transform lives through our threefold path of discipleship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Historic Campus

St. Alban's campus features a Spanish-style church, choir room, parish hall, offices, and a preschool with eight classrooms. Our church, designed by renowned Tucson architect Bernard Friedman, has been part of our campus since 1982. From here, you can enjoy beautiful views of the Santa Catalina Mountains and find peaceful moments for prayer among the desert landscape.

History of St. Alban’s Campus

  • 1964

    Ten acres of land were purchased in September as the future home of St. Alban's Chapel. This visionary acquisition laid the foundation for our parish's long-term presence in the Sabino Canyon area.

  • 1972

    St. Alban's held its first service on February 13th in the Fruchthendler Elementary School cafeteria. Eighty St. Philip's parishioners attended this inaugural service, with 35 continuing as charter members of the new mission.

  • 1973

    Ground was broken for construction of our first sanctuary and west wing. This milestone marked the beginning of St. Alban's physical presence on our current property.

  • 1974

    Our Spanish mission-style chapel was completed, featuring the iconic cross window. In just six months after opening, attendance grew to 205 at a single service, demonstrating remarkable growth for the new chapel.

  • 1976

    St. Alban's achieved financial self-sufficiency, becoming fully self-supporting. This important milestone paved the way for full parish status just three years later.

  • 1979

    St. Alban's Episcopal Church was officially dedicated as a parish. The Reverend Robert Swift, previously Vicar, was installed as the first Rector of the new parish.

  • Cross window #2

    1980

    The congregation launched plans for a new 3,800 square foot sanctuary north of the chapel. The design incorporated a second cross window, continuing our tradition of meaningful sacred architecture.

  • 1981

    St. Alban's made Arizona Episcopal history by appointing the Reverend Margaret Babcock as assistant priest. She became the first woman priest to serve in this capacity within the Diocese of Arizona.

  • 1982

    Construction of our new sanctuary and education wing began in January. The building was completed in just eight months, with the first service held in August of the same year.

  • 1985

    St. Alban's established its preschool ministry to serve both parish families and the wider Tucson community. This education ministry continues to thrive as a cornerstone of our outreach.

  • 1987

    The parish demonstrated remarkable stewardship by paying off its mortgage loan in full, just five years after construction. This financial achievement freed resources for expanded ministry.

  • 1990-1998

    St. Alban's experienced significant growth, adding kindergarten (1990), four classrooms with a playground (1991), and a kitchen with parish offices (1998). The enclosed courtyard transformed our campus appearance.

  • 2019

    The parish embraced environmental stewardship by installing 176 solar panels. This green initiative reduced our annual utility costs by approximately $18,000 while decreasing our carbon footprint.

  • 2021

    Our distinctive sign was installed, establishing a clear presence on Sabino Canyon Road. Uniquely designed as a cell tower, it provides a steady income stream to support parish ministries.

  • 2022

    St. Alban's celebrated its 50th anniversary on February 13th with more than 200 parishioners gathering to honor our history and look toward our future together.

Our Sacred Voice: The Fritts Organ

At the heart of our worship stands our extraordinary Fritts Organ—a rare masterpiece with fewer than two dozen like it worldwide.

Handcrafted by Paul Fritts using centuries-old techniques, this remarkable instrument fills our Spanish-style sanctuary with sounds that open hearts to God's presence in ways words cannot.

All Are Welcome at St. Alban's

Regardless of religion, age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, or economic and social circumstances. Just as Jesus welcomed everyone to his table, we invite you to join us and experience an Episcopal service where tradition, scripture, and reason work together as we explore our faith and relationship with God and Christ.

A parish of the The Episcopal Church of America 

A parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona 

Foundation for Episcopal Campus Ministry at the University of Arizona

We welcome everyone! No exceptions.

Fully accessible worship | St. Alban's offers step-free access from our parking lot to the communion rail, ensuring everyone can participate in worship comfortably.

  • As Episcopalians, we follow Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world. Our most important belief is simple: God loves you – no exceptions.

    Our church welcomes everyone, celebrating diversity in all forms. People of all backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations participate fully in our community and serve at every level of ministry.

    Episcopal worship blends ancient traditions with contemporary understanding. You'll experience beautiful liturgy, thoughtful sermons, and meaningful communion—all in a supportive community where questions are welcomed.

  • We offer two Sunday morning services most of the year:

    • 8:00am: A quieter, more contemplative service

    • 10:00am: Our main service with music and choir

    During summer months (June through August), we combine into one service at 9:00am.

    No matter which service you attend, you'll find a warm welcome. Each includes communion, and we invite all baptized Christians to participate. If you're new to church or just visiting, you're equally welcome to receive or simply observe - whatever feels comfortable.

  • Our Sunday services follow the Episcopal tradition of Holy Eucharist (communion service), creating a meaningful balance of scripture, prayer, music, and sacrament.

    When you arrive, you'll be welcomed and given a service bulletin that guides you through the entire experience. Our services typically include:

    • Beautiful music and congregational singing

    • Readings from the Bible

    • A thoughtful sermon connecting scripture to everyday life

    • Prayers for our community and world

    • Communion, where all baptized Christians are welcome to participate

    Services typically last about an hour. Dress comfortably - you'll see everything from casual to business casual attire.

    Don't worry about "knowing what to do" - our friendly community will help guide you, and it's perfectly fine to simply observe until you feel comfortable participating.

  • Come as you are! There's no formal dress code at St. Alban's. You'll see people in everything from jeans and casual shirts to dresses and sport coats. Our focus is on welcoming you as a person, not on what you're wearing. Wear whatever makes you comfortable and helps you feel ready to worship - God welcomes us exactly as we are.

  • Are children welcome at Sunday services?

    Absolutely! Children of all ages are not just welcome but valued members of our church family. We believe children experience God in unique ways and enrich our worship with their presence.

    During our 10:00am service, we offer age-appropriate Sunday School programs where children can learn about faith at their level. Children join their families for communion, creating a meaningful whole-family experience.

    We also have a cozy family area with quiet activities if your little ones need a break during the service. Don't worry about typical kid sounds - they're the joyful noise of a living church!

  • Is there a nursery for infants and toddlers?

    Yes! We provide a staffed nursery during our 10:00am Sunday service. This allows parents of young children to fully participate in worship while knowing their little ones are being cared for in a safe, welcoming environment. The nursery is available for infants and toddlers, and our greeters can direct you to its location when you arrive.

  • Our regular Sunday School Program meets during the 10:00 a.m. service. During the first part of the service, children participate in age-appropriate activities and lessons, then return to join their families for the Eucharist (Communion) portion of worship. This allows children to experience both specialized faith formation and participation in our community's central worship practice.

  • Yes. The church is wheelchair accessible, with no steps between the parking lot and the communion rail. We also have an Induction Loop system installed for hearing aid users, which provides clearer sound directly to compatible hearing aids.

  • Yes! We livestream our 10:00am Sunday Service on our Facebook page each week.

    If you can't join us live, you can watch recordings of past services on our YouTube Channel.

    These online options are perfect for those traveling, homebound, or simply exploring our worship before visiting in person.

  • Yes, we do. These important life events are sacred occasions in our church community. For dates, requirements, and other details, please contact our parish office. You can also find more comprehensive information on our Beliefs & Sacraments page, which explains our Episcopal traditions and what to expect.

  • Yes. We offer a healing service on Wednesdays at 10:00 am. This intimate service includes communion and special prayers for healing and wholeness. Many find this midweek opportunity for spiritual renewal especially meaningful. All are welcome to attend.

  • You'll find convenient parking at St. Alban's. Our welcoming campus has a well-maintained lot with plenty of spaces for our community and visitors. Even on busy Sundays, parking is straightforward and accessible, allowing you to arrive with ease and focus on worship rather than circling for a spot.

  • There are many ways to be part of our community's mission through your time, talents, and financial support:

    Share your time and talents: Attend any event that interests you, and consider volunteering in one of our ministries. Each person brings unique gifts that strengthen our community - whether you enjoy working with children, have musical talents, can help with administrative tasks, or want to participate in outreach. Our office staff can help you find the perfect fit.

    Financial support: If you feel moved to contribute financially, you can donate online, place an offering during any Sunday or Wednesday service, or speak with us about pledging. Every gift, regardless of size, helps sustain our ministries and outreach.

    The most important way to support St. Alban's is simply through your presence and participation in our community!

 FAQs