Saint Barnabas Church  -  The Original Building

The Exterior

In 1878, when Cyprus came under British occupation, one of the results was, as might be expected, thesetting up of the Anglican church on the island. At first the church was part of the Diocese of Gibraltar, but it was transferred to the Anglican Bishopric in Jerusalem in 1887, administered, as now, from the capital Nicosia.

In Limassol the church was at first in a row of cottages erected by the Royal Engineers, the central one with a pointed window to mark it out as different. It was shared by the Church of England and the Scottish Presbyterian Church for many years.

Then in 1912, the London based Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts purchased the site for the present St. Barnabas'. The site cost just over £41 and although the builder's name is known -  Polycarp Michaelides - the architect remains anonymous.

The building was completed in 1915 and a photograph of the time shows the church surrounded by fields of wild flowers. In 1925 the porch and the west door were added, making it possible to extend the area available to the congregation. Three years later, in 1928, a new altar and font were installed and dedicated. In order to create more space inside the church, the font is now outside the building, on the west wall near thedoor. A modern, moveable font has been purchased as a replacement.

The stone building at the rear of the church is the SundaySchool which was built in 1955. Until then Sunday School classes had been held in the Chaplain's house. The Sunday School building - known for a time as the Library - was built in local stone to match the church and was originally designed with interior moveable partitions so that it could be used in a variety of ways. It has now been refurbished and redecorated to be used as a Sunday School and has been re-designated as the Schoolroom. It is used to capacity every Sunday for the creche and the children of the ever-growing Sunday School.

The other building on the site, the Annexe, was originally built by the Royal Engineers as a scout centre. Since then, despite its age, it has become the centre for much of the fellowship and social life of the church. Part of the building has been made into a Vestry and the main room is still widely used by many local expatriate organisations, for all kinds of activities. The 'Annexe' is the meeting place for after church coffee hour, meetings and many social events that take place in the congregation.

The church grounds are used as a regular Sunday parking area, but also as the venue for outdoor events such as the annual Bazaar. The exterior cross on the east end of the church was a donation. It is illuminated at night and forms part of the distinctive appearance of St. Barnabas' church.
 

The Exterior, June 2002

The Interior

The simple design of the interior of the church is reminiscent' of the local pattern. The rounded apse is a 'typical' feature of Orthodox churches and is beautifully suited. to the rest of the interior.

The pews were not originally designed for the church and their provenance is difficult to trace. There is a story that they came from a military church in Libya, but it has not been possible to authenticate this. What is certain is that they have, at some time in the past, been 'adapted' to fit their present use.

Most of the altar furnishings have been given to St Barnabas' church by members of the congregation,' usually in memory of members of their family.

The ciborium was given in memory of Mrs Peggy Charles and one of the chalices in memory of Mrs Nona Benson. The jug commemorates Mrs Gunn and her daughters.

The two larger candlesticks were presented to the church by the Revd. Peter Moore during his incumbency.

The original windows in the church were of clear glass and they have all been replaced with stained glass, designed and made- by artists in Cyprus. The circular window above the altar bears the compass rose, the emblem of the Anglican Communion.

The Interior, June 2002

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