Walk Around the Church

 

Beginning at the Baptistry, there is a piece of marble from Saint Paul’s Cathedral (the result of war damage) set in the wall near the foundation stone.  The beautiful stained-glass west window was designed in April 1956, and depicts scenes from the Bible, including our Lord’s Baptism.  A Book of Remembrance is sited in the Baptistry.

About halfway down the church, in the north aisle, is a statue of Saint Michael, from the old church of that name.   At the end of the north aisle, in the nave, there is a statue of our Patron, Saint Barnabas. 

Just to the left of the music corner, in the north aisle, is the first of the Stations of the Cross, with the last one at the front of the Lady Chapel.  Looking across from the music corner, the two spacious arches on each side of the nave give the effect of a Cruciform church, so that even the shape of the building preaches the Cross of Christ.

At the end of the north aisle, steps lead to the upper chapel.  At the top of these steps is a statue of Saint Christopher, patron saint of travellers.  This statue was given in January 1941 to the temporary church in Halsbury Road.

The Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the tabernacle in this chapel, to be taken to those who are ill or housebound.  It also contains any consecrated wafers that are left over from the Parish Mass, which are brought down to the High Altar on the following Sunday.

The stained-glass east window depicts Christ the King seated on the world, set in the heavens.  The seven golden candlesticks represent the church on earth lifting up its light to the Lord; the seven doves represent the spirit of God descending upon the earth from the Lord.  Above are four angels holding the instruments of our Lord’s Passion.

Coming down the steps to the Sanctuary, on the left-hand side is an aumbry where the oils are kept for Baptism, Healing and Chrism.  The medallions on the dorsal rail symbolise Our Lord (IHS are the first three letters in Greek of “Jesus”), and our Lady, the Virgin Mary (AM stands for “Ave Maria”).  The candles, like incense, represent the prayers of the Church going up to God; also they are symbolic of Christ, the Lord of Light.

At the front of the Sanctuary, high up on the pillars, are two medallions: the one on the left, SB, denotes Saint Barnabas, and the one on the right, SM, Saint Mark.

The Lady Chapel in the south aisle is where most of the weekday Masses are said.  The altar came from the old Saint Barnabas Church in Halsbury Road, and the crucifix behind came from a bombed church.  There is a statue of Our Lady in this chapel and, about halfway down, a statue of Our Lady of Walsingham.

Many of the church furnishings came from the old Saint Barnabas Mission Church, but items have been given over the years in memory of deceased relatives and friends. 

Outside the church, at The Fairway entrance, in the arch above the doors, is a statue of Our Lord as the Good Shepherd, which was placed there in 1955.

An addition in more recent times is the Link, which, as its name implies, is a link between the church and the parish hall, but even more, it is a link between the church and a wider parish.  The building of the Link was commenced in spring 1994 and it was consecrated by the Bishop of Willesden on Sunday, 25^th September that year.  From 31^st October the Link was open in the mornings daily to welcome passers-by to rest, and perhaps share a cup of coffee or tea as part of our greater outreach.

For members of the congregation it provides a pleasant and comfortable venue for meetings and lectures.  On Sunday mornings it provides a useful refuge for some of the younger members of the congregation.