St Barnabas Anglican Church

A church with a shingled roof and seating for about 80 people. That is how the St Barnabas Anglican Church started its journey back in 1872 in Balwyn. Today, the St Barnabas Anglican Church stands as a testament to the enduring faith and community spirit of Balwyn. The church’s history dates back to 1870. Back then Balwyn was under the care of St John’s Mr Herbert E. Taylor. Mr. Taylor diligently collected £200 for the church’s construction. This amount translates to roughly $41,000 today! The church was designed by the honorary architect Mr. Charles Barnett. The final construction cost was £350. The church we see now wasn’t the original structure. St Barnabas Anglican Church underwent several expansions throughout the years. In 1884, the church was expanded to accommodate the growing congregation. The nave was extended and a wooden chancel was added, increasing the seating capacity to 140. Another interesting fact is the laying of the foundation stone during this expansion. This stone was laid on May 15, 1884, and bears a special inscription. It reads: “A.D.G. THIS STONE WAS LAID BY MARIA VICTORIA SNOWDEN MAY 15TH, 1884.”. The St Barnabas Anglican Church has been a cornerstone of the Balwyn community for over 150 years. It continues to be a place of worship, fellowship, and service.