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The plan, the challenge and the equipment Song of Songs 2:8-13; Psa 45:1-9; Eph 6:10-24;  Mark 7:1-23 Download this sermon here: .

FROM ALIENATION TO RECONCILIATION (Ephesians 2) Download this sermon here:

THE SEED AND THE KINGDOM (1 Samuel 15:34-16:15; Psalm 20; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10,14-17; Mark 4:26-34) Download this sermon here:

Contact 02 9876 3362 We’d love to connect with you. Whether you’ve got a question about Jesus, what we do at St Alban's, our kids programs, or our facilities, we’re here for you. Give us a call on 02 9876 3362 , email office@eppinganglicans.org.au or get in touch through the form below. We’d love to hear from you. Our office hours are 9:00am-1:00pm Tuesdays to Fridays. Get in touch Please confirm that you really are a human! Thanks for submitting! Submit

Parish History Location and History of the Parish Written by Nigel Hubbard Arranged by Christopher Lawn Scroll to view Top of page St Alban's Anglican Church has been providing ministry for those who live or work or choose to worship in Epping, for more than a century. The first Anglican services were held in the home of Robert Hilliard in Essex Street and commenced mid 1891. Start St Aidan's Anglican Church West Epping was opened as a centre of worship and Sunday School by Archbishop Mowll on 28 November 1953 and named “The Raymond V Ford Memorial Hall”. It has been known as St Aidan’s West Epping since 1962. The area now known as Epping was known as "Pennant Hills" "East Carlingford" until 1899. St Alban's Anglican Church has been providing ministry for those who live, work or choose to worship in Epping, for more than a century. The first Anglican services were held in the home of Robert Hilliard in Essex Street and commenced mid 1891. The following year, Hilliard erected a wooden hall on his property, and the first service was held there on 22nd May, 1892. Anglican worship has been held in Epping (known until 1899 as "East Carlingford") almost every Sunday since then. In 1896 the Anglican community felt inspired to erect a permanent church and this was opened in October of that year. The foundation stone of polished Bowral trachyte can be clearly seen at the front of the building, the only inscription being 1896 in Roman numerals (MDCCCXCVI). Today it survives as the parish centre and church offices and although the interior has been altered beyond all recognition, the outside is little changed from the time when it stood alone on the crest of the hill surmounted by a small bell tower which has since been removed for safety reasons. As Epping moved from village to outer suburb a more elaborate church was deemed necessary and the present building was opened for worship in December 1923. In 1960/61 it was completed by means of an extension to the West end. The architect was Burcham Clamp, noted for a number of suburban churches and also distinguished homes in suburbs such as Mosman. A number of Clamp’s concepts have been modified to meet the changing demands of worship over the past seventy years. The original sanctuary was very small and there was seating for the choir placed between the altar and the congregation. In 1991 this was removed and the sanctuary enlarged, the altar being moved forward in order to bring the actions of the Eucharist close to the worshippers. One of the early benefactors of St Alban’s was Harry Weldon Williamson, a prosperous paint merchant who owned a substantial home next door to the Church, where the block of units stands today. Williamson donated the original altar, (since removed), the altar cross (now placed against the east wall) as well as the fine three light East window; this depicts Christ the King (centre), the Blessed Virgin Mary, and King David. The font was originally placed in the old church in May 1900, the cost being raised by subscription to commemorate the life of Samuel Charles Atchison, a former Sunday School teacher who was killed fighting in the Boer war in February 1900. Later the font was placed at the back (West end) of the new Church, and later still in the North transept and subsequently the South transept. Today baptisms are celebrated at the front of the building and all members of the congregation join in the admission of the newly baptised person into the fellowship of Christ’s church. The Martyrs’ Chapel on the North side of the sanctuary commemorates all those who gave their lives as martyrs of Christ’s church. In particular we give thanks for May Hayman and Mavis Parkinson who were martyred in 1942. In the late 1930’s May and Mavis were members of the congregation while undertaking missionary training. Their missionary service in Papua- New Guinea was overtaken by the events of World War Two. The parish is proud to be associated with the New Guinea martyrs, whose festival is held each year on 2nd September. The wall hanging in the Chapel is a wonderful example of artistry and design. This spectacular work depicts the two land masses of Australia and Papua-New Guinea in brown and green, divided by a blue ocean. Both are united by a rainbow signifying the covenant between God and his creation. The red strand which joins the two land masses represents the blood which Christ shed for all, uniting us with the martyrs of the faith in one body. The Chapel is used for prayer groups, the daily office, and early weekday Eucharists. The majestic tower and spire, built in 1961 when the Church was extended, are a landmark throughout the district, directing the thoughts of men and women “to the higher things which are eternal and divine”. The money for this project was bequeathed by Dr Charles M. F. Olsen. Music plays an important part in the life of the congregation, and St Alban’s has been fortunate in having the services of a succession of distinguished organists. There was a pipe organ on the North side of the sanctuary (in the present position of the chapel) from 1936. In 1981 a gallery was erected to accommodate the new organ of two manuals and eighteen stops built by Orgues Létouneau of Quebec. It is a fine recital instrument and ideal for accompanying worship. A two manual and pedal mechanical action organ with mechanical stop action, 18 speaking stops; 23 ranks and 1,158 pipes.Located in the purpose-built gallery above the western entrance to the church, the organ was constructed by Orgues Létourneau of Quebec in 1981. In 1998 Létourneau rebuilt the 1866 William Hill & Son three-manual organ in St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney. The gallery is used by our senior and junior choirs as they lead the worship at choral services. The parish remembers those of its number who served in the World Wars of 1914/18 and 1939/45. The reredos (carved panelling) at the East end of the sanctuary was given in memory of those who served in World War Two. The honour board for World War One is to be found in the South transept above the font. Among the names is that of the distinguished scholar, Dr Everard Digges la Touche who volunteered for service in the Great War and was killed at Gallipoli in August 1915. The Memorial Garden is located between the War Memorial Hall and the Rectory. This garden was dedicated as a memorial to past parishioners and clergy on Sunday 1 November 1981, All Saints’ Day and the Eve of All Souls. The dedication ceremony was performed by the Rev’d Canon William Rook, rector of this parish 1949-1969. Over the years a number of ashes have been interred. Plaques have not been allowed but names are recorded in the book of remembrance kept in the narthex. In 1998 the Parish Council decided to permit the planting of a special rose or other plant in memory of a loved one. This planting should be arranged with the Garden Committee and be done under their supervision. This will ensure that the area will always remain a beautiful reminder of the people remembered by the Memorial Garden. Back to top

Ecumenical Activities Epping Covenant In 1999, members of Chester Street Uniting Church, Saint Alban's (Anglican) and Our Lady Help of Christians (Catholic) met together as local churches acting together for social justice. As a result, Together-in-Epping (T.I.E) was born; and it was decided to do something local, and something more general, every year. Our first venture was to march together in the 2000 March for Reconciliation across Sydney Harbour Bridge. Hornsby Council gave consent to TIE to plant a tree in Forest Park; a plaque at base of the tree included these words: “We acknowledge the WALLAMADAGAL PEOPLE, the traditional owners of this land.” The first spade was turned by the captain of Cheltenham Girls’ High School, who was of aboriginal heritage. The choice of issues tackled was made easier by the fact that Force Ten (the predecessor of National Council of Church’s Act for Peace) chose an annual focus which T.I.E adopted. A Saturday forum and/or an evening gathering was arranged, and relevant groups would be invited to participate, together with the local bookshop and local papers. In 2001, in conjunction with these events, the idea of holding brief lunchtime events called ‘Food for Thought’ was born, with the idea of attracting people from nearby offices as well as members of the congregations. In 2007, a Trivia Night was held in aid of the Christmas Bowl; for a number of years from then, annual collections for the Christmas Bowl took place in the Epping shopping area and railway station. Leaflets and bookmarks were also distributed. With the formation of T.I.E., and the clergy of the three churches interacting regularly the idea of worshipping together was instituted. Weekly mid-week services in different churches during Lent were arranged; the preacher being of a different denomination from that of the host church. A combined service around the time of Pentecost was also initiated. Occasional pulpit exchanges were also arranged. By 2007, Lenten services and other activities also involved West Epping Uniting Church and St Gerard’s Catholic Church, Carlingford. There are often invitations issued for representatives from each of the churches to attend Festival Services and activities at our churches. Monthly Taizé worship services had previously been held in Epping many years before. These were revived and held on the second Sunday evening each month, initially at each church in rotation. However, to provide continuity of location for non-regular participants, it was agreed after a few years to hold them always at Saint Alban’s. For the first few years, combined group studies were held during Lent, using available study material. However, these were soon discontinued due to the many other Lenten commitments of each church. Much later, in 2014, two groups were formed – one morning session and one evening – to study the booklet produced by the NSW Ecumenical Council: The Gift of Each Other: learning from other Christians. From 2002, the Parish Councils of the three churches met together annually to hear reports of the recent activities of each group and of T.I.E., and to consider further ways of working together. The meetings held in February in the churches in rotation and commenced with an informal dinner. An early decision was made to include, on each church’s letterhead, a statement indicating its covenant relationship with the others. Over subsequent years, other congregations joined the group, and some have not stayed. The current congregations are Anglican Parish of Epping (St Alban’s and St Aidan’s), the congregations of Epping Uniting Church (Chester St and Oxford St which had become one) and West Epping Uniting Church, and the Catholic Parish of Epping and Carlingford New South Wales (Our Lady Help of Christians and St. Gerard Majella). In 2007, the three Epping congregations celebrated together on Palm Sunday, at St Alban’s, a Blessing of the Palms followed by a procession around the nearby streets. In subsequent years the location alternated between Saint Alban’s and Our Lady Help of Christians. The Covenant: It was not until 2004 that the idea of a covenant was agreed. This declaration stated the things which had been done over the previous four years. Over the subsequent years, it is revised annually at the Parish Councils’ meeting and reaffirmed by signing at the Pentecost Ecumenical Service by both a minister and a lay person from each parish. Drawn together by a shared faith in Jesus Christ and inspired by the Holy Spirit the congregations commit themselves in covenant to what has been agreed for the following year by way of combined services and activities. The Covenant Statement signed in 2023 is hung in the Church porch.