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About us

Our church has regular Sunday worship with Sunday School for children up to age 16, and Crèche for pre-school children.  It is very light and airy, and sits at the top of a hill a mile  from the centre of Purley overlooking parts of the South Downs.  The parish comprises approx. 2,500 homes.

There are two halls that are used by the local community for activities including exercise classes, dancing, dog training and an independent Pre-school.  We also have very active Guide & Scout organisations for girls and boys aged 5 upwards.

There has been a church on the site for nearly 100 years.  The present building was constructed in 1958; it is simple and uncluttered, directing our attention to the Altar table and Cross.  It is furnished with art, including the painting of "Madonna & Child" by John Hayward, an enamel "Resurrection Cross" by local artist Lesley Miller and many fine Altar Frontals.

 

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Who was St. Barnabas?

Barnabas was described in the bible as "a good man full of the Holy Spirit and of Faith" (Acts 11:24), and his name means "Son of Encouragement". 

He accompanied St. Paul in spreading the Christian message in Cyprus.  We remember him on 11th June every year and pray that we, too, might be full of God's goodness, and be effective in encouraging others as we go along life's way.

 

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Welcome to

The Parish Church of St Barnabas, Purley

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Revd. Chris Thomson (pictured above) is Priest-in-Charge of St Barnabas, Purley and All Saints, Kenley.  He was previously Curate at the united benefice of St. Mary the Virgin, Bletchingley and St. Peter and St. Paul, Nutfield.

For a profile of Chris, please click here.

St. Barnabas, Purley and All Saints, Kenley, are joint benefices working towards unification by 2013.

 

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The photos above show aspects of the church and grounds, and some of the religious, social and charitable events that take place here.

 

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Fundraising & Charitable Work

St. Barnabas has a very active fundraising programme. The events are generally social in nature and are held in the church, in one of the halls or in parishioners’ gardens.  They attract a good number of church members as well as “Friends of St. Barnabas” – people who have an association with the church, but who don’t necessarily attend formal church services regularly.

We host an annual Family Fair in the church grounds after our Patronal Festival service (St. Barnabas Day is celebrated on or around 11th June). The Fair – with sideshows, bar, café, BBQ and live entertainment – is open to the public and is always well supported by the community.

Other events include a Burns’ Supper every 2 years, themed evenings including dinner and entertainment (we recently held an Indian Evening with entertainment provided by the Bollywood Dance School that meets weekly in the hall), an annual Garden Party with entertainment from local musicians, and concerts in the church.

We also have regular events to raise money or collect goods for the charities we support. These include orphanages in Palestine and Chennai (India), Croydon YMCA Cold Weather Provision, MIND and the Children’s’ Society.  We have also supported the work of the Leprosy Mission for the last 25 years.

 

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