Here stands St Barnabas, a testament to faith and resilience. This church has witnessed over a century of history. St Barnabas began as a Baptist Union Church. It was constructed in 1865. William Wigginton designed it in the Gothic Revival style. Yellow brick banded with red and black adorned the exterior. The building featured a broad chancel. It also had a nave, a west gallery, and an octagonal southwest tower with a spire.
However, St Barnabas’s story took a turn. In 1868, the Church of England acquired the building. It was consecrated in 1870 by John Jackson. He was the Bishop of London. St Barnabas then became part of the parishes of St James the Less and St Simon Zelotes.
A large brick vicarage was built in 1876 south of Roman Road. George Barnes first lived there. He was the vicar from 1870 to 1902. Barnes was also President of Sion College. He served as rural dean of Spitalfields.
The Second World War inflicted severe damage. Bombs struck St Barnabas. After the war, the steeple was removed. The church was rebuilt. The tower and north and south walls were retained. J Anthony Lewis led the remodeling. He commissioned Don Potter to create “The Four Evangelists”. These sculptures grace the building’s exterior. Potter also crafted a font in Clipsham stone. The restored church was rededicated on June 18, 1957, by the Bishop of London.
An electric Jennings organ was installed in 1957. Before 1965, St Barnabas was in the Metropolitan Borough of Bethnal Green.
St Barnabas is now part of the Bow Group of Anglican churches. This group includes Bow Church, St Paul’s Bow Common, St Paul’s Old Ford, and All Hallows Bow.
St Barnabas National School was founded in 1866. It was originally St Luke’s. The school was located at the junction of Roman Road and Lanfranc Road. It also served as a mission church. The school closed in 1905. It was then converted into a church institute.
Several priests have served at St Barnabas. George Barnes served from 1870 to 1902. Alexander Bassell Winter followed from 1902 to 1920. Brian Charles Ralph has served from 2001 to the present.
Since 2006, the PCC of St Barnabas Bethnal Green has been affiliated with the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement.
From 2003 to 2012, St Barnabas played a key role in the St Barnabas Community Fete. This was also known as Bowstock. The church’s vicar, Father Brian Ralph, directed it.
As you stand before St Barnabas, consider its journey. From Baptist beginnings to Anglican resilience. From wartime damage to post-war restoration, St Barnabas stands tall. It is a beacon of faith and community in Bow.