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A Brief History
As the rest of the Three Lakes community was slowly dismantled during the 1950’s, the tiny log church of St. Alban’s, safely tucked away within the dense bush, and escaped the fate of many of its neighbors. The church and picturesque Briarcliffe Cemetery still rests on the original three acre site donated by Tom Smart in 1931. No mysterious benefactors here; the entire church was financed and built by the local community. The primary builders were Tom Smart, Anton Sempowich, Walter Lund and Tom’s three sons-in-law Andy Mathison, Ernie Montgomery and Albert Seward. From far and wide came the church effects. The brass lectern was a gift from Denmark sent by Walter Lund’s father, Professor Lund. Tom’s brother, Harry Smart, salvaged a beam from St. Alban’s Church in his hometown of Luton, England. From the beam, he carved a cross and sent it to adorn this St. Alban’s Church. St. Alban’s was one of only a few churches dedicated by Reverend Robert John Renison during his eight-month (January 6 to September 1, 1932) term as Fifth Bishop of Athabasca. Albeit short, his time in the Peace Country made a deep and lasting impact on him. As rector of St. Paul’s, Toronto, he initiated many donations and gifts for Peace Country Churches. The cemetery is said to be haunted.
St. Alban is celebrated as the first British Christian martyr. An English “pagan” living in 304 A.D., he gave shelter to a Christian Cleric fleeing religious persecution. When an envoy arrived to arrest the Cleric, the newly converted St. Alban donned the Cleric’s cloak so as to be arrested in his stead. St. Alban allowed him to be tried as the Cleric and was condemned to death. His feast day is held on June 22 the same day as this St. Alban’s church was consecrated. St. Alban is the patron saint of converts and refugees and is often depicted holding a tall cross and a sword or decapitated with the eyes of his executioner dropped out.
SITE INFORMATION
Denomination: Anglican
Church consecrated: 22 June 1932
Cemetery: yes
Access: Locked and boarded up; public has access to the grounds
Contact: St. Bartholomew’s in Grimshaw 780-332-2529
FURTHER READING & BIBLIOGRAPHY
McCrum, Elizabeth 1976, A Register of Service: The Centennial History of the Anglican Diocese of Athabasca
Grimshaw and District Historical Society 1980, Land of Hope and Dreams: A History of Grimshaw and Districts, Grimshaw and District Historical Society, Grimshaw, Alberta
Watts, L.F.S. 1949, Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of The Diocese of Athabasca
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