St. Alban the Martyr Church, Great Heart's Ease
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St. Alban the Martyr
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The first St. Alban's Church was built in Gooseberry Cove in 1880 near the site of the current Church.
It opened in October of that year with the first priest being The Reverend J.S. Saunderson.
The last official service celebrated in that Church was an Evening Prayer of song and praise on
'Rogation Sunday', May 23, 1928, with The Rev'd S. R. Shepherd officiating.
The old St. Alban's Church was torn down, and the cornerstone for the new one was laid on Setember 5, 1928. Area residents
raised funds for the Church through the sales of picking blueberries, catching fish, and making hoops for barrels.
Trees were cut and a makeshift saw mill was built on the site. The foundation pillar was from four barrels, used as the form, and shores.
These are still visible today in the basement of the Church.
Like most outport churches, St. Alban Church was built with free labour from its congregation. However,
Mr. Harrison Bryant of New Perlican was contracted to complete the exterior of the building and the tower.
In 1940, this tower was extended to its present height by Mr. George Pitman of New Perlican.
Mr. Moses Martin, a well-known carpenter from Little Heart's Ease, took on the daunting task of building the
interior of St. Alban's Church. Using the hand tools of the day, he worked meticiously to shape the archways,
entrances, pillars, windows and the chancel. His work is still preserved today and is admired by all who visit the church.
St. Peter's Anglican Church, Little Harbour, donated the pews, reading desk, lectern and altar. The Baptismal Font was saved
from the old Church and is located at the front of St. Alban's near the vestry door. Some new pews were necessary and they were purchased.
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St. Alban the Martyr was consecrated on October 22, 1947, by the Rt. Rev'd Philip Abraham. It stands atop the hill just
before entering Southport and serves the parishoners from the picturesque communities of Butter Cove, Gooseberry Cove,
and Southport.
In the summer of 2005, some of the windows were replaced. Vestry members were delighted to have Cluney Martin, grandson, and Nathan Martin, great-grandson
of Moses Martin work on these renovations.
The first baptism at St. Alban's Church was Andrew Malcolm Smith, son of John and Annie Smith; first burial
was Baby Clayton Spurrell; and the first marriage was between Joseph Seward and Rebecca Ivany.
Today, St. Alban's serves approximately 60 families and is ministered to by The Rev'd Nelson Chatman, Associate Priest; The
Rev'd Myrna Vey, Deacon; and a team of dedicated Licensed Lay Ministers.
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| The Rev'd Nelson Chatman
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In the Spring of 2006, a Restoration Committee was formed to come up with a fund-raising strategy
to raise enough funds to help with a major Church Restoration Project. A direct mail campaign
was chosen as the main fundraiser. The response was excellent! They were successful in raising
over $10,000 toward the project. Along with funds from Service Canada, those funds allowed for
the addition of a 12' x 24' extension to the Vestry with a quiet room, the Minister's room was made
smaller but received a window and French door, an accessible entrance with a 92' ramp, the
restoration of the spire capped with an aluminum cap and cross, and the installation of 23 more new
windows. There are now 30 new windows installed in the Vestry and body of the Church. Click on the
above underlined link for more on St. Alban's restoration.
In September 2008, St. Alban's will celebrate its 80th Anniversary of the laying of
the corner stone. This beautiful House of Worship stands as perfect today as it did when built in 1928.
In 2007, there were 3 baptisms, 2 burials and 1 marriage at St. Alban the Martyr.
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