Our Story

We value…

  • Inspiring worship through scripture, liturgy, and music

  • Intentional Prayer – Nurturing active relationships with God

  • Caring Fellowship – Developing and sustaining Christian relationships with others

  • Christian formation – Spiritual and scripture-based learning for continual education and discernment

  • Meaningful service – Ministering to those in need throughout our communities

All are welcome at St. Alban’s, no exceptions.

A diverse, intergenerational, inclusive Christian community in the Episcopal Tradition, we seek the transformation of lives through sharing the gifts of God's grace and love.

Our History

In late 1981, a group of Christians led by the Rev. Malcolm Riker discussed planting a church in far south Austin. They met to found a spiritual home, a place of godly wisdom, or spiritual courage, an abundance of energy and joy. The Diocese purchased land for the proposed mission on a hilltop with an unblocked view of Austin and the surrounding area. One visit to the hilltop is all it takes for you to know it is a holy place.

The initial group moved forward and rented a former beer hall in Manchaca, Texas, to hold Sunday services, committee meetings, and classes. Why a beer hall? The location was close to the land the Diocese had ready for them, it was in an area not already served by the Episcopal Church, and the rent was quite affordable. These pilgrims trained lay readers, Eucharistic ministers, and acolytes; started a choir; and set up Sunday School classes. They scrubbed the building, built an altar, bought folding chairs from Target, and used hand-me-down altar hangings, vestments, hymnals and prayer books from other Episcopal churches led by Rev. Riker. Many of those founding fathers and mothers are still active parishioners. Some people who were small children at that time now worship here with children of their own.

The first service was December 6, 1981. In January 1982, the congregation petitioned the Diocese to be admitted as a mission named St. Alban’s. The following month, the new church was approved at Council.

The congregation grew, organized lay leadership and worked toward construction of a church building. In 1987, the beautiful church in which we now worship was dedicated. Several years later, Sunday services and Christian Formation met in a large modular structure on loan from the Diocese while the main church building was remodeled to create more worship space.

St. Alban’s became a transitional church, adding committees and ministries led by the laity. Education has always been emphasized and is embodied in Sunday Christian Formation, Education for Ministry, mid-week Bible studies, book clubs and Vacation Bible School. Children and youth enjoy facilities designed for their needs and best of all, dedicated, interested teachers to lead them.

The Rt. Rev. Claude E. Payne, Bishop of the Diocese of Texas, advised us to finish construction of the Parish Life Center (PLC) in 2003 before taking the big step to become a parish. A demographic survey predicted that within a 5-mile radius of the church the population would consist of young 30-somethings, highly educated with at least one advanced degree and with 2.5 children. We finished building, moved into the lower floor, said goodbye to the modular structure and in 2004, St. Alban’s celebrated achieving parish status. Later, the upper floor was finished and now houses the church offices, a library, choir room, EYC meeting space and a large conference/classroom.

Rectors of St. Alban’s:

  • The Rev. Malcolm Riker, 1981-1990

  • The Rev. Steve Sellers, 1990-1994

  • The Rev. John Musgrave, 1994-1998

  • The Rev. Lex Breckenridge, 1999-2005

  • The Rev. Margaret Waters, 2005-2014

  • The Rev. Erin Hensley 2015-2020

  • The Rev. Peggy Lo 2022-present