September 6th 2024 marks one hundred years since the foundation stone was laid for the present St Barnabas church building. This is actually the third St Barnabas building: the first was in School Lane (opened in 1864); the second was in 1897 and is still standing – it’s our present Church Hall; and finally in 1924 the present building was begun.
Built and funded by local people, the current St Barnabas church has been a prominent landmark in the community. But it’s more than a building: it is a spiritual home for the congregation, it is also a hub for the community, hosting many events and supporting organisations and individuals in Emmer Green and Caversham Park.
This is what we shall be celebrating this September.
Centenary Celebration events
Sunday 8th Sept 4:00pm – History of the church
A talk by David Howell (churchwarden of St Barnabas). David has painstakingly collated a huge amount of material, documenting the history of St Barnabas churches, in three locations along Grove Road over 160 years, together with stories of local people who built, funded and been a part of this community in Emmer Green. As well as a talk, much of the material David has collected will be on show in the church
Tuesday 10th Sept 7:00pm – The Story of Caversham Park
A talk by Sarah Stuffins, covering the history of Caversham Park both as a house and BBC listening station. A Heritage Open Day event.
Saturday 14th Sept
2:00pm-4:00pm – Community Fair
10:30am-4:00pm – Festival of Flowers
Come and see the brightest and best of Emmer Green and Caversham Park today! A host of organisations will be showing off what they do to help everyone in Emmer Green and Caversham Park to learn, grow, find friends, get fit, keep fit, keep it together, help others, help the environment. At the same time, to mark the centenary of the building, inside St Barnabas’ church will be filled with flowers and banners, put together by different groups from our church community and beyond. Church will be open to the public from 10:30am.
Sunday 15th Sept
2:30pm – Reception with tea and cake
4:00pm – Anniversary Service
Gathering from 2:30pm, this will be a celebration service to give thanks for 100 years of worship in our building. We welcome Revd Nigel Hardcastle, former vicar of St Barnabas, as our preacher.
