Farewell to Littlehampton’s Father Albert

Father Albert Van der Most, 74, retired from St Catherine’s Church, in Beach Road, last week, but when the Gazette approached him for an interview, he simply said: “no comment”. Luckily, his parishioners were more than happy to sing his praises for him.

Fr Albert, as he is affectionately known around town, arrived at the church in September, 1988, from Horsham.

Wenda Moon, a parishioner since the mid-1970s, said: “He found the church and the presbytery in a sorry state. The buildings were so decrepit, and the cost of renovations so staggeringly high that it was thought the beautiful old church might have to be pulled down.

“However, Fr Albert rallied the parishioners, and with his vision, determination and boundless energy, he launched an extraordinary programme of fund-rasing, in which he was fully involved.”

Tens of thousands of pounds were raised, via all manner of methods, including raffles, jumble sales and Fr Albert collecting hundreds of newspapers which, at that time, could be redeemed for cash, in about three years, and St Catherine’s was restored to its former glory.

It’s not just locals who have benefited from his work, though.

Wenda said: “Fr Albert’s acts of kindness and generosity to the poor and disadvantaged are legion, as is his enthusiasm for raising money for the starving in poverty-stricken parts of Africa.

“His extrovert personality has made him a well-known figure in Littlehampton and beyond.

“The very many families for whom he has conducted baptisms, first holy communions, weddings and funerals will remember him for the meaningful way in which he conducted these ceremonies and for his deep faith and spirituality.”

Not to mention the Dutchman’s sense of humour, she added.

“When I asked him two or three years ago when he was going to retire, he replied: ‘When I have buried you’!”, said Wenda.