St Barnabas Parish Church

St Barnabas Parish Church

St Barnabas Parish Church, located in the Gorse Hill area of Swindon, Wiltshire, is a Grade II listed Anglican church renowned for its distinctive architectural features and rich history. Designed by the architect J.P. Seddon, the church was constructed in 1885 using rock-faced snecked Swindon stone with limestone ashlar dressings and slate roofs. The building comprises a nave and aisles, a short chancel with side chambers, and a southwest porch beneath the lower two storeys of an incomplete tower. Notable architectural elements include paired lancet windows between ashlar-dressed pilasters, a clerestory with blind arcades along the chancel, and triple lancet windows to the east end under a continuous hood. (historicengland.org.uk)

The interior of St Barnabas Church is equally impressive, featuring an arcade of five bays with moulded arches on quatrefoil columns. The clerestory is supported by alternating columns and clusters on a wall string, leading to a coved hammerbeam boarded vault. The chancel is adorned with canvas-based wall paintings from 1946-1948 by Rev. John Perret, and the church houses an octagonal limestone pulpit with an arcade on grey stone columns. The font at the west end of the nave boasts a dog-toothed bowl with a surrounding trefoiled arcade. Additionally, the aisles feature west end lancet windows with stained glass by Morris & Co. dating from around 1918. (historicengland.org.uk)

The church's history is marked by significant events and contributions from its congregation. In 1938, construction began under the designs of architect Nugent Cachemaille-Day, with local building company T.W. Nicholls and Son executing the work. The project was a community effort, with fundraising days and contributions from parishioners to raise the necessary funds. To link the new building with historical structures, stones from Gloucester Cathedral and Tewkesbury Abbey were incorporated into the east wall beside the high altar. The attractive stained glass of the east window was designed by Christopher Webb in 1940. (stbg.uk)

St Barnabas Church continues to serve as a vibrant and diverse community, welcoming all in Jesus' name and engaging in various activities and services throughout the week. The church is part of the All Saints and St Barnabas Swindon benefice, which includes All Saints Swindon and St Barnabas Swindon parishes. The current churchwarden is Mrs. Jennifer Roe, and the parish safeguarding officer is Mrs. Brenda Young. (bristol.diocesedirectory.org)

For those interested in visiting, the church is located on the corner of Ferndale Road and Cricklade Road in Swindon. The hall adjacent to the main church building is used as a centre by the Open Door charity, which provides a specialist resource for adults with learning disabilities. The charity runs a café each Friday, serving hot and cold drinks, light lunches, cakes, and scones to raise funds. (oodwooc.co.uk)

St Barnabas Church stands as a testament to the architectural and communal spirit of Swindon, offering a place of worship, community engagement, and historical significance.