St. Baranabas, Southfields : About the Church

About the Church

Strictly speaking, a church is not a building but a body of people. Christians believe that Jesus Christ has called us to be his body in the world, to continue his work.

But in our climate at least we need shelter. The first church buildings were just that - a shelter for the altar or Lord's table, and a place for people to gather round it. The style of building evolved, and in this country 'traditional' churches usually look like this, with pointed arches and a long 'nave', as in the middle ages. This church was built in 1908 to the design of C Ford Whitcombe, in the so-called 'perpendicular' style like many town churches in East Anglia.

If you look at St Barnabas' church, your eyes will be drawn to the table or 'altar' at the centre, around which we gather Sunday by Sunday to celebrate Christ's victory, in the act of worship we know as the Eucharist, Holy Communion or Mass. As we share bread and wine we share in the life of Jesus Christ who rose from the dead. The altar is decorated with coloured hangings, candles and flowers, to mark its importance.

The other equally essential part of our worship is listening - to God speaking to us in the words of scripture, the Holy Bible. To the left of the altar you will see a stand known as a 'pulpit'. Some churches have an additional stand called a 'lectern', but here they are combined. From this place the Bible is read at every service, particularly the words and deeds of Jesus which we call the Gospel.

To become a member of the Church you have to be baptised (or 'christened'). So at the back of the church, near the entrance, is the font. This is filled with water for this important ceremony in which people renounce evil and turn to Christ, becoming members of his Body on earth. At one time, most candidates for baptism were adults, but now it is very common for young children to be brought for baptism. Our font is modelled on a style very popular in England during the Middle Ages; note the carvings representing the 'seven sacraments'. Beside the font stands the large Paschal (Easter) candle: a new one is blessed each year at Easter and it is lit for all baptisms and funerals as a sign that Christians share in the risen life of Christ.

These are the three most important features of the church. As you look around, you will notice other things such as:

The long altar-table at the far end, at the top of the steps. When this church was built, the custom was for the priest to stand with his back to the people, offering worship on their behalf to God. So the altar was given dignity by being distant and elevated. More recently, the truth that God is in our midst has been expressed by arranging things so that the congregation and priest can gather together around the altar.

The dove-shaped object above that altar. This is a 'hanging pyx' ; in it is placed the consecrated bread from communion which is reserved and taken when needed to the sick or others who are unable to get to church. It is in the shape of the dove because it represents the Holy Spirit of God, the God of peace. A light burns nearby as a sign of God's presence.

The area to the right of the high altar, at a lower level. This is known as the 'Lady Chapel'. This is simply a small church within a church, with its own altar, and it is used on weekdays and other times when there is a small congregation which would be lost in the main church. It is called the Lady chapel after Mary, the mother of Jesus, known as 'Our Lady'. On the floor you will notice scorch marks resulting from an incendiary bomb during the second world war. There is a stained glass window at the east end.

The organ, which you can see at a high level in the left hand corner of the church. It was built by the famous firm of Willis, and thoroughly restored a few years ago.

The door to the left of the one below the organ. This is now the parish office. It used to be one of the main entrances to the church.

The 'icons' or pictures on the pillars near the font. These represent Mary with her son Jesus, and Barnabas our patron saint. The custom of using paintings like this comes from the eastern Orthodox tradition of Christianity, and they are intended to draw the worshipper into the reality of the church as the Body of Christ, as the saints still share with us in worship. You are invited to light a candle as a sign of your prayer.

The pictures in relief around the walls. Known as the 'Stations of the Cross', they depict the story of Jesus's last journey to his death and resurrection. They begin in the left hand corner by the quiet room.

The windows of St Barnabas are, in the main, glazed with a light green glass in mixed tones; although at the upper level a yellow glass is used producing the illusion of sunlight. The Lady Chapel has a stained glass window at the east end. This was installed in 1957 as part of the ongoing restoration of the Church as a corporate memorial to certain local families and St Barnabas Scouts. It was instigated by Major Cassie and was designed by Miss Marion Grant. The design was arranged in separate panels enabling it to be built up by degrees.

The two centre panels portray the Annunciation with separate portraits of Mary and Gabriel. Above them is a nativity scene with the Holy Family in the stable and, alongside, the Magi. The lower right hand panel features St Barnabas holding a book (probably representing St Marks Gospel as traditionally Mark was related to him). The lower left hand panel depicts John the Baptist, holding a tall reed cross and carrying a charger on which is superimposed a lamb with a flag. The subjects of the two portrayals of saints in the upper left and right hand panels have not yet been identified. At the top of the window, in the centre, there are four roundels in a diamond formation, one containing an entwined alpha and omega, one an IHS, and the remaining two, with heads of young men, on left and right hand sides both facing inwards. The glass is predominantly blue, red, and gold. Hidden within the design are three camels and a number of sheep.


Strictly speaking, a church is not a building but a body of people. Christians believe that Jesus Christ has called us to be his body in the world, to continue his work. But in our climate at least we need shelter. The first church buildings were just that - a shelter for the altar or Lord's table, and a place for people to gather round it. The style of building evolved, and in this country 'traditional' churches usually look like this, with pointed arches and a long 'nave', as in the middle ages. This church was built in 1908 to the design of C Ford Whitcombe, in the so-called 'perpendicular' style like many town churches in East Anglia.
	If you look at St Barnabas' church, your eyes will be drawn to the table or 'altar' at the centre, around which we gather Sunday by Sunday to celebrate Christ's victory, in the act of worship we know as the Eucharist, Holy Communion or Mass. As we share bread and wine we share in the life of Jesus Christ who rose from the dead. The altar is decorated with coloured hangings, candles and flowers, to mark its importance.
	The other equally essential part of our worship is listening - to God speaking to us in the words of scripture, the Holy Bible. To the left of the altar you will see a stand known as a 'pulpit'. Some churches have an additional stand called a 'lectern', but here they are combined. From this place the Bible is read at every service, particularly the words and deeds of Jesus which we call the Gospel.
	To become a member of the Church you have to be baptised (or 'christened'). So at the back of the church, near the entrance, is the font. This is filled with water for this important ceremony in which people renounce evil and turn to Christ, becoming members of his Body on earth. At one time, most candidates for baptism were adults, but now it is very common for young children to be brought for baptism. Our font is modelled on a style very popular in England during the Middle Ages; note the carvings representing the 'seven sacraments'. Beside the font stands the large Paschal (Easter) candle: a new one is blessed each year at Easter and it is lit for all baptisms and funerals as a sign that Christians share in the risen life of Christ.

These are the three most important features of the church. As you look around, you will notice other things such as:
	The long altar-table at the far end, at the top of the steps. When this church was built, the custom was for the priest to stand with his back to the people, offering worship on their behalf to God. So the altar was given dignity by being distant and elevated. More recently, the truth that God is in our midst has been expressed by arranging things so that the congregation and priest can gather together around the altar.
	The dove-shaped object above that altar. This is a 'hanging pyx' ; in it is placed the consecrated bread from communion which is reserved and taken when needed to the sick or others who are unable to get to church. It is in the shape of the dove because it represents the Holy Spirit of God, the God of peace. A light burns nearby as a sign of God's presence.
	The area to the right of the high altar, at a lower level. This is known as the 'Lady Chapel'. This is simply a small church within a church, with its own altar, and it is used on weekdays and other times when there is a small congregation which would be lost in the main church. It is called the Lady chapel after Mary, the mother of Jesus, known as 'Our Lady'. On the floor you will notice scorch marks resulting from an incendiary bomb during the second world war. There is a stained glass window at the east end.
	The organ, which you can see at a high level in the left hand corner of the church. It was built by the famous firm of Willis, and thoroughly restored a few years ago.
	The door to the left of the one below the organ. This is now the parish office. It used to be one of the main entrances to the church.
	The 'icons' or pictures on the pillars near the font. These represent Mary with her son Jesus, and Barnabas our patron saint. The custom of using paintings like this comes from the eastern Orthodox tradition of Christianity, and they are intended to draw the worshipper into the reality of the church as the Body of Christ, as the saints still share with us in worship. You are invited to light a candle as a sign of your prayer.
	The pictures in relief around the walls. Known as the 'Stations of the Cross', they depict the story of Jesus's last journey to his death and resurrection. They begin in the left hand corner by the quiet room.

The windows of St Barnabas are, in the main, glazed with a light green glass in mixed tones; although at the upper level a yellow glass is used producing the illusion of sunlight. The Lady Chapel has a stained glass window at the east end. This was installed in 1957 as part of the ongoing restoration of the Church as a corporate memorial to certain local families and St Barnabas Scouts. It was instigated by Major Cassie and was designed by Miss Marion Grant. The design was arranged in separate panels enabling it to be built up by degrees.
The two centre panels portray the Annunciation with separate portraits of Mary and Gabriel. Above them is a nativity scene with the Holy Family in the stable and, alongside, the Magi. The lower right hand panel features St Barnabas holding a book (probably representing St Marks Gospel as traditionally Mark was related to him). The lower left hand panel depicts John the Baptist, holding a tall reed cross and carrying a charger on which is superimposed a lamb with a flag. The subjects of the two portrayals of saints in the upper left and right hand panels have not yet been identified. At the top of the window, in the centre, there are four roundels in a diamond formation, one containing an entwined alpha and omega, one an IHS, and the remaining two, with heads of young men, on left and right hand sides both facing inwards. The glass is predominantly blue, red, and gold. Hidden within the design are three camels and a number of sheep.