The High Altar
The high altar is the principal focal point of our church building. The Parish Mass and other major services are celebrated at this altar. This altar dates from the erection of the present building in 1887. The reredos (decorative screen behind the altar) has been developed throughout the 20th century with the most significant work designed by the firm Milner and Craze, most famous for their work for the shrine at Walsingham.
The Baptistery
In Baptism, we bring people to new life in Christ and membership in the Church. Throughout the years, many people have been baptised at St Barnabas’ Church (among them Great War poet Siegfried Sassoon). The sacrament of Holy Baptism continues to be a critical part of our ministry. Over our impressive marble font towers a ciborium (large covered structure) which was designed in the early 1950’s by the firm Milner and Craze. For further details about Baptism at St Barnabas’ CLICK HERE
S. Stephens’ Chapel
The side chapel dedicated to St Stephen is a reminder of the original mission chapel on this site, which bore the same dedication. The east window in this chapel as well as the altar date to the original chapel built in the 1870’s. The reredos in this chapel was designed by the noted ecclesiastical artist and designer Martin Travers, and replaced an earlier reredos designed by his mentor sir Ninian Comper. The four martyrs depicted are S. Thomas of Canterbury, S. Laurence, S. Stephen and S. Clement.
Lady Chapel
The side chapel to the north of the High Altar is the Lady Chapel (so called because it is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary). The reredos in this chapel was also designed by Martin Travers in a renaissance style, and it features the four Doctors of the Western Church: S. Augustine of Hippo, S. Gregory I, S. Jerome and S. Ambrose of Milan. Additionally this chapel contains one of the church’s two confessionals and the parish war memorial. The Blessed Sacrament is reserved in this chapel, and Masses of Our Lady are said here.
Rood Screen
The screen which divides the area between with the main altar in a church, the chancel, from the main part of the church, the nave, where the congregation sits. We are fortunate that our Church building has been so lovingly constructed and cared for over the years. The rood screen at St Barnabas is picture below bathed in late afternoon sunlight.
