There has been a church in Emmer Green since the 1860s. The original church was in School Road and this was a shared building with the village school. The church obtained land for a new church on Grove Road, near the corner with St Barnabas Road: this wooden-framed building in the 'tin tabernacle' style was opened in 1897. This building now serves as our church hall.
The present brick-built church was begun in September 1924 with the nave (the main area where the congregation sit) consecrated for use in June 1925. However it was to be another 4 years before it was fully completed, thanks to energetic fund-raising by the local community. The present St Barnabas church is a thoroughly local building: designed, built and decorated by local craftsmen. The architect was J Willett, built by local builders W & E Fisher (after whom the present Fishers Cottages are named, off Kidmore End Road). 
The wonderful stained glass windows were made by the renowned stained glass window artist Percy Bacon, who had a studio in London, lived in Springfield House on Surley Row and was churchwarden at St Barnabas during the 1920s.
In 2010 the buildings were further extended by the addition of the Parish Centre, which brings valuable modern faciliites and meeting spaces for church and community use.
