St. Albert of Trapani Church was founded on July 1, 1970. It is named after a Catholic priest of the Order of Carmelites who lived in Sicily in the 13th century. In his religious and priestly life, Albert soon became famous for his preaching, miracles, and a reputation for purity of life and prayer. Albert of Trapani was the Provincial Superior in Sicily in 1296. His feast day is celebrated on August 7 by the Order of Carmelites.
Lord God, you made St. Albert of Trapani a model of purity and prayer and a devoted servant of Our Lady. May we practice these same virtues and so be worthy always to share the banquet of your grace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The rapid growth of the Southwest section of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston led Bishop John L. Morkovsky to request the Carmelites to staff a new parish in the spring of 1970. The Very Rev. Malachy H. Smith, O.Carm., the Carmelite Provincial, appointed Thomas J. Walsh, O. Carm., as the founding Pastor and Franklin R. Tasker, O.Carm., as the first Parochial Vicar. Frs. Walsh and Tasker visited Bishop Morkovsky, and the parish boundaries were established: Everything west of Fondren Road and south of Bissonnet to the Harris-Fort Bend County line.
On July 1, 1970, St. Albert of Trapani Church was officially established with 300 families. The first Sunday Masses were celebrated on July 11 and 12 at the Braeburn Presbyterian Church and Bonham Elementary School. Two other Sunday Masses were scheduled at Cecil Foerster School to begin on July 26th. Finally, in May 1971, the new auditorium at Sharpstown Senior High School was ready. All Sunday morning Masses were held there and the evening Masses were celebrated at Braeburn Presbyterian Church.
Fathers Walsh and Tasker moved into a residence on July 1, 1970, in the Braeburn Valley West subdivision. The air-conditioned garage became the focal point of most parish activities: daily Mass, Baptisms, Marriages, CCD Classes, and parish meetings. From the early days of the formation of the parish, personal involvement was encouraged. Lectors, musicians, CCD teachers, a Financial Advisory Board, a Liturgical Commission, a Men's Club and Women's Club, C.Y.O., and a Parish Pastoral Council gradually developed to take an active role in the parish life. The biggest problem the parish faced from the outset was finding suitable acreage for the parish plant. Finally, in November 1971, the parish acquired seven acres on South Gessner Road. Plans were drawn up for the parish complex by Ressler and Applebaum, A.I.A., and the first phase of construction began with groundbreaking ceremonies on July 23, 1972.
The almost completed new church and new facilities opened with the first Mass on July 7, 1973. The priest moved to the new Rectory in August and the classrooms were ready for use by the CCD classes and the pre-school in September.
On September 23, 1973, the Church, the classrooms, and the Rectory were dedicated by Bishop John L. Morkovsky. The large growth of families within the parish boundaries required more space for Religious Education and other parish activities. After a thorough examination, on December 30, 1974, the Parish Pastoral Council approved the second phase of construction. The new construction consisted of eight classrooms and a multi-purpose building that can be used as a large hall or four classrooms. These buildings were ready for use in the Fall of 1975.
In the summer of 1975, Fr. Franklin Tasker, O.Carm., the parochial vicar was transferred to become the Pastor of St. Mary's Church in Joliet, Illinois, and was replaced at St. Albert's by Fr. Tom Butler, O.Carm.
In the summer of 1977, Bishop Morkovsky entrusted a new parish in Clear Lake to the Carmelites, and our two former parochial vicars, Frs. Tasker and Butler were assigned to begin St. Bernadette's Parish. Fr. Stanley Kromer came to St. Albert as its new pastor.
During 1988-1994, while Fr. John Fogarty, O.Carm. served as pastor, St. Albert Church continued to grow and so the interior of the church was renovated so that it would remain the place for worship alone and the parish hall was enlarged to make a new parish center.
Fr. Mark J. Schaffner, O.Carm, the pastor from 1994-1999, encouraged further development of our Liturgy, supported present ministries such as Youth Ministry, and was instrumental in beginning some outreach ministries with the help of many parishioners.
In 1995, as a sign of growth and outreach of the parish, St. Albert Church began its conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society to serve the needs of the poor in and around the parish thanks to the initiative of Maria Elena Merino, under the guidance of the pastor, and with the leadership of Dennis and Ruth Helm. This ministry continues to grow today and we encourage all our parishioners to become active members of our Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
The year 1995 was the celebration of an important milestone. St. Albert Church celebrated its 25th anniversary. All the former pastors attended the special weekend of activities culminating in a jubilee Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph Fiorenza. This would be the last major milestone for the Carmelite order at St. Albert. The Carmelite order, which cared for and shepherded the St. Albert parish family faithfully for 29 years, returned the parish to the Diocese of Galveston-Houston because of a shortage of priests to staff the parish and live in the community. Today, St. Albert is a diocesan parish, steeped in our Carmelite formation and devoted to our Blessed Mother.
In June 1999, receiving his first assignment as a parish priest, Fr. Philip Wilhite, S.T.L. was appointed the administrator of St. Albert. The following June 2000, Fr. Philip was named pastor of St. Albert.
Fr. Philip, while pastor from 1999-2010 continued to build the growth of our parish family from 1,400 families to 1,700 families and over 40 ministries to continue the Lord’s work. This growth led to the expansion of the church sanctuary from a 300-seat capacity to a 700-seat capacity, a new parking area, and a new chapel.
July 16, 2008, the groundbreaking ceremony took place as we celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the feast day of the Carmelites, the founders of St. Albert. With the completion of the new sanctuary, on August 19, 2009, St. Albert celebrated the Mass of the Blessing.
In May of 2010, Fr. Philip was transferred to serve as pastor at Sacred Heart in Conroe, Texas.
In June 2010, Fr. Vincent Tran, was appointed as administrator of St. Albert. Fr. Vincent brings a new chapter and many opportunities as we continue our work with the Lord.
August 7, 2010, with Daniel Cardinal DiNardo as our principal celebrant, St. Albert celebrated its 40th anniversary with a concelebrated Mass and dinner. The theme was “A Parish of Diversity United in Christ,” which continues to focus on the many cultural facets within our parish community.
The 1,700 families, that constitute the parishioners of St. Albert Church today, come from a wide variety of countries and cultures around the world. The multi-cultural life of the parish makes it a very special place to worship and build a Catholic Christian community life. Through prayer, hard work, and the selfless commitment of many women, men, and youth of the parish, St. Albert Church has renewed itself once again.
May we continue to build on the great work of the founders of the parish and maintain and build a faithful and prayerful community of believers who will serve the Lord and his people for many years to come. May the Spirit of the Lord continue the good work he has begun in us!