Michael Silver, priest of the parish, died on 2nd December 2025. He had received Holy Communion the previous Saturday. It is probable that the only future services which we will hold at Letchworth will be the requiem for his burial as below, and perhaps that of one other member of the congregation.

Most of this page is left as a memorial to him and to what has been attempted over the last thirty years.

We are very grateful to the Liberal Catholics for their hospitality, which has continued over many years. We emphasise that the Liberal Catholic Church of St. Alban is in no way our property and that we have no rights in relation to it. Please do not use the Church as a postal address for us.

All our worship is in the Old Tradition based upon the Book of Common Prayer, the English Missal, and the English Hymnal.

Please note that residents' parking restrictions are now in force in Meadow Way except on Sundays. Do not park there. You can still park on-street in Norton Way South. Also, the Methodist Chapel there has agreed that we can use its car park as a last resort, but if you do so please leave a notice in the car that you are attending worship at the Liberal Catholic Church of St. Alban.

The funeral will be on Friday 19th December. Please be present for the requiem at St. Albans by 10:45 if you can, as there are time constraints. The burial will be at Great Wymondley. More details will follow when available.

Last writings by Michael Silver

Bequests

I bequeath my soul to Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, in the humble expectation that His grace is greater than my sin; and that he will admit me to the company of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Michael the Archangel, and the whole Army of the Lamb.

I bequeath my body to the ground, until the Last Day.

I bequeath my earthly estate and effects to my loyal and loving wife Anastasia.

I bequeath my life’s work (such as it was) to God’s Holy Church – more specifically as it is made manifest within its traditional Anglican expressions.

My profession

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth. And of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, Light of Light, very God of very God, Homoousion with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Ghost and of the Virgin Mary, and was made man. And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again to judge both the quick and the dead. Whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father. Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified. Who spake by the prophets. And I believe in one Holy, Catholick, and Apostolick church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Note: this is the original (Conciliar) form of the “Nicene” creed. Michael left homoousion untranslated, as there is no ideal rendering into English – roughly “same in being”)

Notes for Attendees

Flowers only from immediate family; else please give the equivalent to some pro-life charity.

It is hoped to arrange overflow parking at the Methodist Church (approximately 250 yards further down Norton Way South, by the roundabout). The postcode is SG6 3TR. It would be best to leave a notice in the car that you are attending at St. Albans. The Liberal Catholic church of St. Albans, by whose kind permission the requiem is being held, is at the junction of Meadow Way and Norton Way South, SG6 3HX. Parking on Norton Way South is legitimate (where indicated), but not on Meadow Way, and please leave the drive in front of the church free for the hearse.

Please (if you so wish) ensure that you have a hand candle (to be lit just before the Gospel, and again after the Sanctus, and finally before the prayers over the coffin). Please try not to spill wax, as we will have to clean up afterwards.

The first row of chairs on both sides is reserved for family. The second row is reserved for visiting (and vested) clergy. The area around the organ and leading to the sacristy is needed for the choir and for the movements of the altar party.

The photographer (Gallina) should have a seat next to the aisle for ease of movement.

I realise that the open coffin may seem gothic to some sensibilities, but hope that no one will feel pressurised to venerate my body, but that everyone may enter into the spirit of the occasion, getting in touch with their Mediterranean side, and not being too British about it.

Although kneeling is a difficult posture (and some cannot manage it at all) it is my earnest wish that people kneel at least from the Sanctus to at least the Our Father (and preferably until the priest has received his communion). Those who cannot kneel should go to the back of the church and stand for the this time (from the Sanctus to the Our Father) if they can.

There is no dress code, but dark colours are preferred, and headscarves for women are applauded, especially the mantilla.

Photographs may be taken, but not with flash.

There are time constraints. The requiem must start promptly at 11:00 (indeed, a little earlier if possible) and finish by 12:15 so that the burial itself may start at 12:30. These timings are the only way that the funeral could take place before the New Year. Please do everything you can so as not to cause delay.

Michael insisted – no eulogies at any time on the day. Send your words about him to Rev'd Michael Gray who will put them on the web site.

These notes are largely from Michael, with a few additions.

The website is maintained by Rev'd Michael Gray

Our Traditional Calling

The Holy One has given us His Church that we might give glory to Him and that He might save us from evil and unite us to Himself. The Eternal Father sent both His Eternal, unique Son to destroy death and sin and His Eternal Spirit into our hearts to reclaim us as His own children (Romans 8:15-6). This remaking of creation is both His love and His glory. His Church is the Eternal Son's continuous presence in a troubled world.

The Church, sadly, is troubled enough for itself (and always has been) and yet recently it has also lost confidence in the very faith and authority that God has entrusted to it. Anglicans have been in the front line of this confusion, but as traditional Anglicans we want to make amends, be useful and rebuild God's Church. We desire that every Christian body should become stronger in that traditional faith which is our common inheritance.

We welcome you, as either a serious inquirer or a committed Christian, to join with us in daring to attempt to restore God's honour within His Church.

There are, alas, many traditional jurisdictions. In this parish we are part of The Traditional Anglican Church, which is active in many parts of the world where strange practices have driven Anglicans who hold to the Apostolic Faith and Order to seek refuge from error. There are, or course, no perfect jurisdictions. In these distracted times, it is for every Christian to be faithful to God within whatever body seems least unsuitable.