The building of the present St Alban's church was started in 1907 to replace the old church (built in 1892) which became the present church hall. Both buildings stand side by side. Experts have admired the scale of the nave and chancel - it won instant praise with its 'vivid contrasts and interconnection of spaces and volumes.' The church buildings are blessed with an expansive and spacious nave and chancel and an extensive Choir leading to the Sanctuary and High Altar.The interior is adorned by a fine collection of 'Arts and Crafts' stained glass windows and the Chapel dedicated to the Northumbrian St Oswald, with its fine stone reredos and series of windows depicting the life of the saint is a gem, with a quietly contemplative atmosphere.
The churches are surrounded by houses but when the mission church was first built there were still some fields around the site. At first there was a tin church erected in 1891, then the first stone church - the eastern two-thirds of the naveof the old church - was begun by the laying of a foundation stone on 6th February 1892. It was dedicated on 14th June 1892. By May 1893 it was much too small,and in November 1893 the chancel, vestries and organ chamber were dedicated, and the completed church (rest of the nave and north porch)
it was opened on 6thMay 1894.

About St Alban

The exterior of the old church remains substantially the same, even the nave flèche survives.

The interior was simple with quite a wide nave and lower narrower chancel. Today of course few of the interior features remain visible.

 There is a lower ceiling, and some extensions north of the nave for kitchens etc. A stage stands forward of the chancel arch, which is screened off.The chancel is now is now a separate room, known as the Wells room.The organ to the left of the picture, by Henry Willis, was moved into the new building into the north transept but was replaced in 1926 with a much larger instrument by JJ Binns.

Some features of the new building

The exterior showing the base of the unfinished tower

the East window

The St Oswald’s Chapel with its stone reredos