The Friday Photo -St Barnabas Church Erdington
St Barnabas has sat proudly on Erdington High Street, as its focal point, since 1823. Designed by Thomas Rickman, an English architect who was a well-known figure in Gothic Revival architecture. St Barnabas was one of the first Commissioners’ churches built in England and it cost £5,000 to build, a £1,000 of which was public donation.
In 2007 the Grade II listed building was very badly damaged in a fire. Only one of its stained-glass windows survived, along with the tower and walls. The church was rebuilt five years later and was reopened in December 2012 with a beautiful, modern new steel roof and glass side extension, which I think compliments the old building very well. The rebuild cost around £5M.
Overgrown graveyard. Not been maintained for at least 25 years when I was last there. Good for teenagers hiding and getting up to no good.
I went to St Barnabas church last week for the first time.
Went into the Cafe and had lunch then went into the main area to see the church.
All looks very impressive but as I had not been there before I could not compare it to that of old, but unfortunately what really lets the site down is the churchyard.
Who’s responsibility is it to maintain the churchyard ? And why is it not done ?
Hi Joanna, thanks for the comment. I’m not sure who is responsible for the church grounds, I’ve always assumed the church is! I strongly suspect that it is unkempt due to lack of funding. I remember they had a group of volunteers cut the grass and tidy up at the back many years ago but it is always only one side of the churchyard that gets done, the other remains untouched and I’ve always found that perplexing. It would be lovely to see it tidied up.