We hope this short tour of our parish church will give you an insight into this beautiful building, to get a better view of the pictures just click on them for a larger picture.

To pass through its doors is, in common experience, to receive something of a shock, although a very pleasant one. For a moment it seems as though one has entered another world, so unexpected is the interior. The general effect of light, freshness and colour about the building is in such startling contrast to the church’s exterior. Yet to the surprise is quickly added a homely feeling in the midst of its splendour and these impressions are very much deepened if the Eucharistic Liturgy here is experienced. It is, without doubt, a place that God has touched.

A chapel was erected in 1907 as a daughter church of St Stephen’s; it became the parish hall when the present church was built in 1913/14. It was again used for services after the church had been severely damaged in a daylight raid in the 1939/45 world war, when the west end was virtually destroyed.

St Alban’s is fortunate in having two justly famous architects associated with it; Charles Nicholson, who was the original architect, and S.E. Dykes Bower who was responsible for the restoration.

When you enter the church at the west end, and view it through the western screen (formerly the chancel screen), you find yourself confronted by a kaleidoscope of gorgeous colours. The present rich colouring is the work of Dykes Bower, who has a gift of blending colours with great sensitivity.

The flat panelled roof of the chancel is a glorious red, whilst the nave pitched panelled roof is green. The walls are now off-white with warm red Hollington stone pillars and arches. The Nicholson High Altar reredos and riddle posts are coloured and gilded; especially fine are the resplendent angels perched on the posts, clad in gold leaf.

The new chancel screen, by Dykes Bower, in High Renaissance style, is magnificently theatrical, and provides a wonderful setting for the drama of the Mass.

The Jacobean style pulpit, the rood and the carved wooden lectern with fine carved eagle, richly gilded, are all by Nicholson, again re-decorated by Dykes Bower. Nicholson tended to combine polished wood with some colouring; Dykes Bower is not so sparing. Yet the result, far from being garish, enhances the different items, for his use of colours is both subtle and effective.

The font first belonged to the original St Mary’s, Portsea. It dates from the fifteenth century. Charles Dickens, the novelist, who was a native of Portsmouth and baptised in 1812, and Isambard Brunel, the celebrated engineer of the Great Western Railway, were among many who have left the pagan world at this font.

A grand impressive cover, surmounted by a gilded pelican, was designed by Dykes Bower.

There is some good stained glass in the lancet windows of the sanctuary, and in the chapel of Our Lady. Above the arch to the chapel are two small, but very fine, windows by A.K. Nicholson, who also did the chancel windows. The great western rose window, with its crucifix, was destroyed; the new one is more beautiful than the original, its curves more graceful and sinuous. A crucifix is carved into the tracery. The glass is by Gerald Smith. On the inside, a Christus stands before the middle of the rose window, carved in pear wood.

The interior is full of treasures. Fine brass chandeliers; an old Maltese clock; St Alban, with apparently a bruised right cheek (actually a knot under the pigment still bleeds); and a fragment of stone carving from St Alban’s cathedral set in the north wall are only a few of them.

Both the statue of Our Lady in her chapel and that of St Alban were designed by Nicholson.

So too were the High Altar’s crucifix and candlesticks, made of oak and covered in sheets of bronze and silver – though much in need of restoration at the time of writing.

Everything in St Alban’s, including the plate and vestments, was of the highest artistic order, designed by artists of repute and executed by master craftsmen.

The church has been fortunate in its many generous benefactors, who have followed the ancient tradition of wishing to beautify their church.

With its colour, furnishings and rich gilding, it must be one of the most beautiful and unusual buildings on the island of Portsea.

We hope you have enjoyed your tour of our church – please keep us in your prayers as we seek to be the community of Christ in this place.