The Episcopal Church
St. Alban’s is a member of The Episcopal Church, and part of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona.
History
This parish was founded in 1957 when seven people began to gather regularly for worship here in Wickenburg. In 1959, through the generosity and vision of Charles “Squire” Maguire and his wife Sylvia, the church was built. It is believed St. Alban was the patron saint of the Maguire’s parish in their native Iowa. The parish became a self-supporting congregation in the same year and was granted official parish status. The Rev. Harold Beach Adams served as St. Alban’s first priest from 1959 through 1960.
St Alban the Martyr
The Christian hero whom the parish claims as its patron saint is Alban of Britain. He is the first identified church martyr in the British Isles. Tradition holds that Alban was a young Roman soldier, recruited from the native Britons and stationed in a city northeast of London. The city was later renamed “Alban” in honor of his martyrdom, and the Cathedral of St Alban stands today on the site of his sacrificial death. He gave shelter to a Christian priest who was fleeing persecution, and was converted by the priest. When Roman officers came to arrest the priest, Alban exchanged clothing with the priest and allowed himself to be tortured and executed. (traditionally dated 304 a.d.)
The Land Our Church Sits On
St. Albans’s acknowledges that our church sits on land that was once the home to many people and nations and remains a home to those that continue to live here today. We thank them for their stewardship of this land, and give thanks to our ancestors, our elders, and all indigenous people.
The Diocese of Arizona is dedicated to working for justice among the Native American peoples in Arizona.