On May 20, 1973, twenty-one Episcopalians formed a congregation led by Doug Carpenter in a wooded area in south Jefferson County known as "Slab Town".  The "slabs" for which this depressed area was named were the bark slabs left after lumber had been cut at the local mill.  Those who worked in the coal mines lived in shacks made from these slabs.  The area has been remarkably transformed as the community has prospered.  The free medical clinic and clothes closet provided by St. Stephen's in the early years are no longer needed, but the congregation stays in close touch with the poor and powerless through many outreach programs.  We are pleased to be named for Stephen who was chosen by the twelve Apostles to serve those in need.

Crosshaven, our street address, has special significance.  The "haven" reminds us that we are a sanctuary for those in need. T he "cross" reminds us of our compassionate Christ with arms outstretched on the hard wood of the cross, the wounded healer.

St. Stephen's has been involved in a number of large projects such as establishing St. Francis of Assisi in 1980 in Shelby County.  A priest on our staff, the Rev. Taylor Wingo, went to be their first rector.  That same year we helped to establish the Church of the Epiphany in Leeds, and one of its recent rectors, the Rev. Joe Knight, was ordained at St. Stephen's before going to serve that parish.  In 1987 another priest on our staff, the Rev. Bill Greeley, established a campus for abused children known as the Holy Innocents Ministry.  St. Stephen's has played a major role in the building and development of that ministry.  Along with St. Mary's and St. Luke's in 1991, we sponsored the beginning of St. Thomas, Altadena.  In 1994 our parish was responsible for raising funds and relocating St. John's for the Deaf across the street on property that St. Stephen's had acquired.

We have an increasing responsibility for young children.  Infant Baptisms are exceeding 50 per year.  We have 125 children enrolled in our Mother's Day Out/Preschool.  We play a large part in our diocesan Camp McDowell where several hundred of our children and adults attend sessions each year.

St. Stephen's has sponsored four members through theological training and ordination:  Joy Phipps, Associate of St. Luke's, Mountain Brook; Joe Knight, Retired, Selma, Alabama; John Bagby, Interim Rector of St. Mark's, Prattville; and Rebecca DeBow, Rector of St. Francis of Assisi, Indian Springs.

In early 1996, we completed a large addition to our facilities and improvements to our parking and grounds to accommodate a growing congregation.  In 2005, we now have a congregation numbering 1,500 baptized members.

In August 2004, our Associate Rector, Peter Horn, retired.  And in May 2005, our beloved and only Rector we have ever had, Doug Carpenter retired.  Reverend Denson Franklin served as our Interim Rector through December 2006.  Reverend Alison Carmody joined us as Associate Rector.

In January 2007, the Reverend Russell Kendrick became our new rector and we celebrated the beginning of Our New Ministry with him on February 25th, 2007.