A Brief History of the First Fifty Years of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church

From her earliest days, St. Barnabas has been a partnership between ordained and lay leadership. But it was the determined lay folk who got the ball rolling! In January 1960, a group of the faithful sent a letter respectfully requesting that the Diocese of Southern Virginia establish an Episcopal Church in the Broad Rock area of South Richmond. The response they received was the beginning of St. Barnabas. The first meeting of the new church was held at the Manchester Rescue Squad House on February 21, 1960.

In September of that year, the present tract of land of more than three acres was purchased. During the construction of the church building, the congregation met in nearby Hening Elementary School. The Rev. Webster Simons, Jr. was appointed by The Rt. Rev. George Gunn to be the guiding hand. The first service was a celebration of the

Holy Eucharist held on March 5, 1961. The congregation voted to call the new church St. Barnabas, after a devout first-century Levite named Joseph, whom the first Apostles nicknamed Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement.” He was known for his great generosity. (Acts 4:36) This is the only parish in the diocese so named.

1962 was a busy year for the emerging church.The first trustees were elected. The rectory and an additional two acres of land were purchased. The diocese gave their blessing for St. Barnabas to become an organized mission, and The Rev. Matthew Taylor was named Priest-in-Charge. The present building was completed in 1963.  In 1966, St. Barnabas attained Parish status, and The Rev. John Rivers, previously the vicar, became the first rector. During his tenure an addition was added. The Rev. Robert Hamilton became our second rector in 1973. He is best remembered for his work with youth, and by then there were a number of families with children to work with! In 1976 The Rev. Charles Johnson became our third rector. During his pastorate, the 1979 Prayer Book came into use, and children began to receive Holy Communion. Father Charlie was just the right person to walk us through! 

In 1982, The Rev. Uly Gooch became our fourth rector. During his term, the parish hall was added and a bell tower erected. A Memorial Garden was created at the base of the cross at the front of the church. The original clear glass windows in the nave began to be replaced with stained glass. Dr. Dan Bragg, a self-taught artist and church member, began working with the designs of two churchmates, Bill Harrison and Keith Van Allen. These images became the beautiful and unique windows we enjoy today. Many hands participated in the St. Barnabas window, making it an authentic expression of the congregation of St. Barnabas!

In 1997, St. Barnabas’ fifth rector, The Rev. William Queen arrived. The brick house on Iron Bridge Road, which had previously served as a rectory, was converted for use as an outreach ministry, becoming known as St. Barnabas House. It serves the Daughters of Zelophehad, an ecumenical Christian transition housing program for homeless women and their children. About that time The Rev. Rod Gordon became our sixth rector. A bi-vocational priest who also worked as a social worker, meant that he worked part-time- and the leaders of the parish worked a lot! The work of Mutual Ministry became a vital part of the parish’s identity. During that time, the Memorial Garden was enlarged. A new brick wall and landscaping added to its peacefulness. And the church and parish hall buildings got a new face lift with white vinyl siding.

By 2007, members of St. Barnabas received a special gift from The Rev. Dale Harmon: Peace and Quiet. He brought a caring presence to the congregation- and a sadness when he retired in late 2009. At the same time, The Rev. Cathy McKinney came to St. Barnabas as Priest-in-Charge. No more peace and quiet! She brings an enthusiastic spirit to the parish. Her love for the children and putting them in the spotlight in her children’s sermons, brought a much needed emphasis on the younger members of the congregation, as well as to Christian Formation as a whole. We have had a growing number of children in Sunday School and in the children’s choir, Lightshine, formed and directed by Music Director Sylvia Wall; now directed by our new Minister of Music, David Sachs. 

Today, there is a lot of life at St. Barnabas, with many caring and wonderful members who make up our church’s family. The Church of St. Barnabas has survived and thrived through the efforts of all who have served in the past fifty years. Now it’s time to work on the next fifty! The parish is blessed with an abundance of gifted ministers, who are committed to the Lord, to one another, and to God’s world. The saint for whom the church was named so long ago, is a model for ministry here at home and in the Diocese of Southern Virginia today. God willing, the parish will continue to grow in strength and grace, trying to live into the call that a few dedicated families heard in 1960.

                                                                    AMEN.