A Brief History of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church
From her earliest days, St. Barnabas has been a partnership between ordained and lay leadership.
However, our history was determined lay folk who got the ball rolling! In January 1960, a group of the faithful sent a letter respectfully requesting that the Diocese of Southern Virginia establish an Episcopal Church in the Broad Rock area of South Richmond. The response they received was the beginning of St. Barnabas. The first meeting of the new church was held at the Manchester Rescue Squad House on February 21, 1960.
In September of that year, the present tract of land on Iron Bridge Road, which is more than three acres was purchased. During the construction of the church building, the congregation met in nearby Hening Elementary School. The Rev. Webster Simons, Jr. was appointed by The Rt. Rev. George Gunn to be the guiding hand. The first service was a celebration of the Holy Eucharist held on March 5, 1961. The congregation voted to call the new church St. Barnabas, after a devout first-century Levite named Joseph, whom the first Apostles nicknamed Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement.” He was known for his great generosity. (Acts 4:36) This is the only parish in the diocese so named.
1962 was a busy year for the emerging church. The first trustees were elected. The rectory and an additional two acres of land were purchased. The diocese gave their blessing for St. Barnabas to become an organized mission, and the present building was completed in 1963. In 1966, St. Barnabas attained Parish status. Shortly thereafter, the 1979 Prayer Book came into use, and children began to receive Holy Communion.
In 1982 and the years following, the parish hall was added and a bell tower erected. A Memorial Garden was created at the base of the cross at the front of the church. The original clear glass windows in the nave began to be replaced with stained glass. Dr. Dan Bragg, a self-taught artist and church member, began working with the designs of two churchmates, Bill Harrison and Keith Van Allen. These images became the beautiful and unique windows we enjoy today. Many hands participated in the St. Barnabas window, making it an authentic expression of the congregation of St. Barnabas!
In 1997, the brick house on Iron Bridge Road, which had previously served as a rectory, was converted for use as an outreach ministry, becoming known as St. Barnabas House. It serves the Daughters of Zelophehad, an ecumenical Christian transition housing program for homeless women and their children. About that time, the Memorial Garden was enlarged. A new brick wall and landscaping added to its peacefulness. And the church and parish hall buildings got a new face lift with white vinyl siding.
By 2007, We had a growing number of children in Sunday School and in the children’s choir, Lightshine, was formed and directed by Music Director Sylvia Wall; now directed by our new Minister of Music, David Sachs
Today, there is a lot of life at St. Barnabas, with many caring and wonderful members who make up our church’s family. The Church of St. Barnabas has survived and thrived through the efforts of all who have served in the past fifty years. Now it’s time to work on the next fifty! The parish is blessed with an abundance of gifted ministers, who are committed to the Lord, to one another, and to God’s world. The Saint for whom the church was named so long ago, is a model for ministry here at home and in the Diocese of Southern Virginia today.
God willing, the parish will continue to grow in strength and grace, trying to live the call that a few dedicated families heard in 1960.
AMEN.
However, our history was determined lay folk who got the ball rolling! In January 1960, a group of the faithful sent a letter respectfully requesting that the Diocese of Southern Virginia establish an Episcopal Church in the Broad Rock area of South Richmond. The response they received was the beginning of St. Barnabas. The first meeting of the new church was held at the Manchester Rescue Squad House on February 21, 1960.
In September of that year, the present tract of land on Iron Bridge Road, which is more than three acres was purchased. During the construction of the church building, the congregation met in nearby Hening Elementary School. The Rev. Webster Simons, Jr. was appointed by The Rt. Rev. George Gunn to be the guiding hand. The first service was a celebration of the Holy Eucharist held on March 5, 1961. The congregation voted to call the new church St. Barnabas, after a devout first-century Levite named Joseph, whom the first Apostles nicknamed Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement.” He was known for his great generosity. (Acts 4:36) This is the only parish in the diocese so named.
1962 was a busy year for the emerging church. The first trustees were elected. The rectory and an additional two acres of land were purchased. The diocese gave their blessing for St. Barnabas to become an organized mission, and the present building was completed in 1963. In 1966, St. Barnabas attained Parish status. Shortly thereafter, the 1979 Prayer Book came into use, and children began to receive Holy Communion.
In 1982 and the years following, the parish hall was added and a bell tower erected. A Memorial Garden was created at the base of the cross at the front of the church. The original clear glass windows in the nave began to be replaced with stained glass. Dr. Dan Bragg, a self-taught artist and church member, began working with the designs of two churchmates, Bill Harrison and Keith Van Allen. These images became the beautiful and unique windows we enjoy today. Many hands participated in the St. Barnabas window, making it an authentic expression of the congregation of St. Barnabas!
In 1997, the brick house on Iron Bridge Road, which had previously served as a rectory, was converted for use as an outreach ministry, becoming known as St. Barnabas House. It serves the Daughters of Zelophehad, an ecumenical Christian transition housing program for homeless women and their children. About that time, the Memorial Garden was enlarged. A new brick wall and landscaping added to its peacefulness. And the church and parish hall buildings got a new face lift with white vinyl siding.
By 2007, We had a growing number of children in Sunday School and in the children’s choir, Lightshine, was formed and directed by Music Director Sylvia Wall; now directed by our new Minister of Music, David Sachs
Today, there is a lot of life at St. Barnabas, with many caring and wonderful members who make up our church’s family. The Church of St. Barnabas has survived and thrived through the efforts of all who have served in the past fifty years. Now it’s time to work on the next fifty! The parish is blessed with an abundance of gifted ministers, who are committed to the Lord, to one another, and to God’s world. The Saint for whom the church was named so long ago, is a model for ministry here at home and in the Diocese of Southern Virginia today.
God willing, the parish will continue to grow in strength and grace, trying to live the call that a few dedicated families heard in 1960.
AMEN.
