ONE of Blackburn's most historic churches is celebrating its 100th anniversary next month.

St Alban's on Lark Hill is the latest in a long line of Catholic churches to have stood on the ancient site and is thought of by many as the Catholic 'Mother Church' of the town.

The giant St Alban's was the first Catholic church to be established in Blackburn after the reformation and in its early days about 2,000 people attended Mass on a Sunday.

Cannon Jude Harrison, who has been with the church for 14 years, said: "The congregation may have shrunk a bit, but having said that, it's a good size. It's still a healthy, vibrant congregation, and everyone is very supportive."

Over the last 100 years, St Alban's has seen more than 12,000 baptisms, 10,000 confirmations and 4,500 marriages.

But times have not all been good.

In 1995, dry-rot was found in the roof and the diocese considered demolishing St Alban's as the repair cost was estimated at about £250,000.

But the town rallied round and the first £1 was donated by a six-year-old boy who held a garden sale.

Six years on, the church is nearing its target.

A special centenary Mass is being celebrated on Saturday, December 8, at noon, by Bishop Terence Brain, the Bishop of Salford.