PARISH HISTORY                                                     

On July 13, 1939, Archbishop John T. McNicholas set in motion the journey of faith for a parish to be known as St. Albert the Great.  From a rural mission church with fewer than fifty parishioners at its first Mass, St. Albert has grown to a current community of over two thousand families.  In its growth as a community of faith, five pastors have served here, providing their capable guidance and direction. 

Under the stewardship of our first pastor, Father Joseph Rolfes (1939-1965), the parish grew from a community without a church of its own, through the construction of a church (1941), school (1949), convent (1954) and several interim expansions.

The establishment of an elementary school in 1949 was the fulfillment of a dream for many parishioners.  The Sisters of Charity provided most of the teaching and administrative staff in the school’s early years.  Upon Fr. Rolfes’ sudden death in 1965, Fr. Joseph Urbain guided our parish through the initial changes resulting from Vatican II.  Father James Byrne followed Fr. Urbain as pastor from 1967 until his retirement in 1980.  During his pastorate the parish implemented its tithing program whereby financial resources are used not only for parish needs but a portion (10%) is allocated weekly to serve the needs of others.  Plans for the construction of a Parish Center were established under Fr. Byrne’s leadership as well. 

Fr. David Robish served as our fourth pastor from 1980 to 1991.  His years of ministry brought about a broadened outreach to the ill, elderly and bereaved, a deepened sense of the social justice mission of the Church, and a renewed emphasis on parish participation in the initiation of new members of our faith community, as well as completion of the Parish Center. 

Our last previous pastor, Father James Manning, joined us in 1991.  Father Manning initiated a broad-based parish renewal encompassing the physical, spiritual, educational and liturgical aspects of our community. This renewal is one of the many legacies Father Manning brought to our Parish. Other initiatives included a five-year strategic plan to address the educational needs of the parish, the completion of a liturgical assessment and a major physical renovation on several buildings of the parish campus.

Fr. Tom Meyer is our most recent pastor. There will be information coming soon on Fr. Meyer!

Indeed, our history is a testament to the Lord’s many and frequent blessings.  Within our parish  we bring the gospel message to our children, to one another, to our neighborhood and to the greater community.  We earnestly invite you to bring to our community your unique talents and gifts in the service of the Lord.