It was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott and built from 1864 to 1869 by James Black and Son, stonemasons and builders, work supervised by John Horbury Hunt.

Within the precinct are St Alban's Church, the Gothic fence, the bellcote, the Rectory and the Sunday School Hall with attached residence.

The precinct "is closely identified the artistic and religious patronage of the White family, which was responsible more than any other, for much of the 19th century development in the Hunter Valley.

It is a good example of late 19th-century romanticism, featuring a complexity of gables, hipped roofs, tall chimneys and a semi-circular, single storey wing.

Special features of this building are bellcote on the roof ridge, a triple arch porch, multiple gables and high chimney stacks.

[1] As at 13 January 1998, it is Sir George Gilbert Scott's only known design for a church executed in Australia, supervised by J. H. Hunt on behalf of E. Blacket.

[1] The following modifications have been undertaken to the site:[1][2] St Alban's Anglican Church was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.