Worship
Service Times
SUNDAYS
8 AM – Contemplative Eucharist
Rite I without music
9 AM – Family Friendly Choral Eucharist
With both Children’s Chapel and Nursery
11:15 AM – Choral Eucharist
Rite I with mass settings ranging from Mozart to Arvo Pärt
11:15 AM – La Santa Misa en Español
Nourse Hall
Service times vary during the summer.
WEEKDAYS
Morning Prayer:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 9 AM
Evening Prayer:
Wednesdays at 5:30 PM
Our Worship
Episcopal worship can often seem unfamiliar, as to step into our liturgy is to travel nearly 2000 years backwards in time. We light candles, wear 1st century vestments and recite many of the earliest Christian prayers, so as to continue in the worship of the Apostles. A visitor to this style of worship may find it initially confusing, but after a few Sundays, worship in the ancient Christian tradition may become second nature, as the poetry of the motions, words and music begin to open ones eyes and heart to the living presence of Christ in our midst.
What Do Episcopalians Believe About the Eucharist?
At the Last Supper, Jesus shared bread and a cup of wine with his disciples. He told them that the bread was His body and the wine was His blood of the New Covenant. He then commanded them to continue to share in this sacred meal; to return again and again to the reality of His life, death, resurrection and mystical presence among us in the sacrament of Holy Communion. This meal has been the center of Christian worship since the earliest days of the Church, and we join our sisters and brothers in the Orthodox, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Lutheran and other traditions, in proclaiming the body and blood of Christ to be truly present in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Each Sunday, we gather as the body of Christ, to pray that our gifts of bread and wine would be transformed into the body and blood of Christ, that consuming them, we might grow evermore into the body of Christ.
“If you, therefore, are Christ’s body and members, it is your own mystery that is placed on the Lord’s table! It is your own mystery that you are receiving!”
St. Augustine, Sermon 272
Music
St. Alban’s has been known for musical excellence for more than a century, and artists ranging from Norman Scribner to Leonard Bernstein have graced our sanctuary.
Our choir is a mix of volunteer and professional singers under the leadership of noted Musical Director Matthew Steynor, and are recognized as one of Washington’s premiere choirs.
To learn more click here.
Children
While children are always welcome in all of our services, we offer a number of kid specific opportunities for worship and formation.
Nursery care is available for infants and toddlers, and we offer a children’s chapel during the 9:00 service and Christian formation classes for all ages from 10:15-11:00.
To see which classes are right for your children, click here.
For youth grades 6 to 12, click here.
Sermons
Smart, relevant, transformational preaching has been a hallmark of St. Alban’s for nearly 170 years. Click here for video and audio sermons from St. Alban’s.
Prayer Request Form
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How Do I Get There?
St. Alban’s Episcopal Church is located at the corner of Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues on the grounds of the Washington National Cathedral. The church entrance is on Lych Gate Road, between South Road and St. Alban’s School.
Where Do I park?
Free Parking is available on Sundays along Pilgrim Road and in the Washington National Cathedral Garage.
Monday-Saturday, parking in the Cathedral Garage is available for a fee. Parking is free along Pilgrim Road after 3:30pm, and all day on Saturday.
What should I wear?
Sartorial choices range from Sunday finery to athleisure and shorts; we are honored to have you join us for worship regardless of your outfit.
Do you have provisions for the differently abled?
We are wheelchair accessible, with a ramp leading to the front entrance of the church. Large-print worship resources and hearing-assist devices are available from the ushers.