St Alban's Church, Upton Park facts for kids

St Alban's Church, Upton Park is a special church in the Upton Park area of East Ham, east London, England. It belongs to the Church of England, which is the main Christian church in England. The church is named after Saint Alban, an important early Christian saint.

The Beginning of St Alban's

St Alban's Church started around 1889. It was first a "mission church," which means it was a new church set up by an older, bigger church (St Stephen's Church, East Ham) to help serve a growing community. It began on Boleyn Road.

Later, in 1897, a small brick church was built for St Alban's on Wakefield Street. This was a step up from its first home.

Building a Permanent Church

In 1903, St Alban's Church became a "parish" church. This means it was given its own specific area to serve, with its own priest and community. In the same year, work began on a new, permanent church building.

The first parts of this new church were finished in 1903. These included the "nave" (the main part where people sit) and the "aisle" (the walkways on the sides). This new, bigger church was built on the opposite side of Wakefield Street from the smaller brick church.

Additions to the Church

Over time, more parts were added to the church. In 1934, "vestries" (rooms for the clergy and choir), a "Lady Chapel" (a small chapel often dedicated to the Virgin Mary), and the "chancel" (the area around the altar) were completed. These additions made the church even more complete and beautiful.

Wartime Damage and Repairs

During World War II, London faced many air raids, known as the London Blitz. In 1940, St Alban's Church was damaged during these attacks. It was a difficult time for many buildings in London.

After the war, in 1949, the church was carefully repaired. This showed the community's dedication to their church.

St Alban's Today

Today, St Alban's Church is part of a larger group of churches called the East Ham Team Parish. This group is also known as the Parish of the Holy Trinity. It works together with other local churches, including St Mary Magdalene's Church, St Bartholomew's Church, and St Edmund's Church. They all work together to serve the community in East Ham.