How about stepping back to 1865? St. Alban’s Episcopal Church has a fascinating story. It began as the Church of the Holy Comforter. A group of farmers formed it. They built a small wooden Gothic structure. This was at the present site of the South Shore YMCA on Richmond Avenue.
Richard Michell Upjohn designed it. He was the son of Richard Upjohn. The elder Upjohn was a noted church architect. He was also a Gothic Revivalist. Richard Michell Upjohn primarily designed in the Victorian Gothic style. His style used eccentric angular details. The Upjohns designed small Gothic Revival-style churches. These were for Episcopal parishes of modest means. Many were made of wood. St. Alban’s has board-and-batten siding.
In 1873 something remarkable happened to the Church of the Holy Comforter. The building was split in half. It was moved to the present location of St. Alban’s. Here it was re-assembled. It was also enlarged. The transepts and tower were added. R.M. Upjohn likely oversaw this enlargement. He repeated the style of the original church structure.
Fast forward to 1951. Holy Comforter absorbed St. Anne’s Episcopal Church. St. Anne’s was in Great Kills. It had been an offshoot of Holy Comforter since 1929. With this merger, the name changed to St. Alban’s.
St. Alban’s Church is a New York City Landmark. It was designated in 1980. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
In the 1980s, St. Alban’s interior was renovated. This accommodated new liturgical practices. A freestanding altar was added. The exterior was repainted. It got historically authentic Victorian colors. Li-Saltzman Architects completed the restoration in 1990.
St. Alban’s has an impressive organ. In 1984 it acquired an 1883 Hook & Hastings organ. It is believed to be the oldest pipe organ in a Staten Island church. The organ originally belonged to the First Baptist Church of Trumansburg, N.Y. St. Alban’s acquired it directly. Angerstein & Associates refurbished the organ.
The first known organ was built in 1848 by Henry Erben. It was for Christ Church in New Brighton. St. Alban’s purchased and moved it in 1903.
St. Alban’s Episcopal Church stands as a testament to history. It showcases architectural style and community spirit. Its journey from Holy Comforter to St. Alban’s is a story of faith. It is also a story of adaptation. The church remains a vital part of Staten Island.