About us

Our church has regular Sunday worship with Sunday School for children up to age 16.  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.

 

Who was St. Barnabas?

 

 

Welcome to

The Parish Church of St Barnabas, Purley

THE
DIOCESE OF
SOUTHWARK

The photos show aspects of the church and grounds as well as some of the social and religious events that take place here.

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 (most recently we 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 (in March we hosted an evening of the Music of Mozart performed Bromley-based Opera Nova).

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 Shelter, MIND and the Children’s’ Society.