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Tour Sections:
Stained Glass
Sanctuary
Memorial Garden
Parish House
Chapel
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Tour of St. Barnabas
The parish of St. Barnabas was founded in 1888 by E. Pierson Beebe and his brothers and sisters in loving memory of their parents. The cornerstone for the granite church (trimmed with mountain meadow red sandstone) was laid in June 1889 and is located on the outside front left base of the church. The English village-style structure, designed by Henry Vaughn, was completed by June 1890. The name, St. Barnabas, is attributed to the church having been consecrated on the feast day of St. Barnabas, June 11. However, it is also of interest that the first Beebe ancestor to come to the colonies and reside on Cape Cod was Barnabas Beebe.
 
Te Deum window
Te Deum Window
The Windows of St. Barnabas
The interior's plain walls, interrupted by eight narrow stain glass windows, reflect the strength and permanency of Christianity. The windows were created in England at the Charles E. Kempe studio (a Kempe window is identified by bound golden sheaves of wheat in the lower left corner of each window). The three-paneled, high altar window (as featured in the upper left hand corner of our webpages) was designed by Heaton, Butler and Byrne of Boston and is the earliest of all. The five paneled Te Deum window (created in the United States) over the front door was dedicated in June 1964 in memory of the Reverend Wallace, former rector of St. Barnabas.
 
The first window on the left is the Jesse tree, a descendency from King David to Jesus. The second window is a "Christmas Window" depicting the birth of Christ with attending shepherds. The third window is another "Christmas Window" depicting the Three Wise Men and the flight of the Holy Family from Egypt. The fourth window depicts Mary Magdalene washing the feet of Jesus in the upper panel, and in the lower panel is a depiction of Peter, with the cock crowing in the upper left, denying he knew Jesus.
Jesse Window Christmas Manger Scene Flight to Egypt Footwashing
 

On the right side of the church, the first window is the Baptism by John at the River Jordan, and the story of the Good Samaritan in the bottom pane. The second shows two scenes of the Acts of the Apostles-Pentecost depicted in the upper pane with Peter and John, and John in the lower panel assisting a lame beggar. The third window is the "Resurrection Window" and depicts the discovery of the empty tomb. The fourth window depicts Jesus being removed from the Cross.

Baptism by John The Lame Beggar Easter Crucifixion

The high altar window represents the Ascension with eleven apostles facing Jesus as he ascends to Heaven.

 
St. Barnabas Church Architecture
Architecturally, churches are generally fashioned in the shape of the cross, with the aisle representing pilgrimages or processions leading up to the crossing (in front of pews) and up to the chancel and altar. The nave represents the underside of a boat, when in ancient times religious services were held in the protection of an overturned vessel for shelter and privacy. The eight "ribs" in the ceiling is indicative of the Mayflower Design.

lectern   The lectern, at the end of the aisle on the right next to the Baptismal font, is in the shape of an eagle. This design represents the verses from Isaiah, "Born upon eagle's wings" and "Strength like an eagle." The lessons of the service are read from the lectern and the sermon - or homily - is usually given from the pulpit.
baptismal font
Continuing up to the choir stall and overhead on the ceiling of the chancel are six stenciled designs, attributed to Henry Vaughn, in six repeated patterns: The crown of thorns with three nails in the center; the first three Greek letters of Jesus, "IHC"; the first two Greek letters 'px' of the title Christ (Messiah); pillars with a whip and sword represent Christ being scourged by soldiers (sword); the ladder, reed, sponge, spear and lantern were used at the crucifixion and the purse represents Judah's betrayal; and the cross, hammer, pinchers and pliers were instruments used to secure Christ to the cross.
barrel vault ceiling
Altar

The blue kneelers at the altar rail have symbols of the altar needlepointed on them.

 

St. Barnabas Memorial Garden
The Memorial Garden was established to commemorate the centennial of St. Barnabas Memorial Parish. The garden has been created to receive into the earth the ashes of the faithful departed and to memorialize those interred elsewhere.

Names and dates are cut into bluestone slabs of varying size, set flush into the ground before the granite cross. The rough hewn benches, chapel wall and cross remind us of the permanence of Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth before all worlds and unto the end of time. The memorial trees, shrubs and flowers bring us to the reality of the risen Christ and the everlasting presence of the Holy Ghost, the comforter.

  cross in Memorial Garden
A registry of those in whose name memorial gifts are given will be maintained in theparish chapel. Memorial contributions should be directed to the Memorial Garden Committee in the name of the deceased, and will be used for the beautification of the parish property.
 

Memorial Gifts
Many gifts were given to the church in memory of various Beebe family members whose efforts established the parish of St. Barnabas. These gifts include the nine windows, the baptismal font, choir stall, altar rail, pulpit, lectern, communion rail, hymnal board, bishop's chair, church bell (not cast by Paul Revere as is the one across the street at the Congregational Church), organ, chalice, communion service, alms basin, prayer book and painting.

In front of the church and to the left is its rectory. The recently renovated house was formerly owned by Caroline Hatch and sold in 1871 to Robinson Crocker Bodfish. E. Pierson Beebe purchased the house in 1901, had the house restored, and offered to rent it to the parish for $400 per year.

The Parish House and Chapel
Behind the church and to the right is St. Barnabas House. Dedicated in December 1890, it was a gift from Frank Beebe in memory of his mother and two sisters, Frances and Mary Louse. The house was originally used as a reading room or library for the town of Falmouth. Parish House

The low wall bordering the western side of the church property was built in 1891 from granite boulders brought from fields near Highfield Hall.

Interior of the Chapel   The Chapel
The Chapel, located behind the church, was originally a carriage house built in 1894 in memory of Frances Lathrop Beebe Fiske by her children. In 1962 the carriage house was converted into a chapel by William W. and Evelyn Peters as a memorial to his parents. Late afternoon summer services and year-round Wednesday morning services are held in the peaceful chapel.

The Parish Hall, built in 1959, is used for numerous community gatherings by many organizations and houses the Sunday School classrooms and parish offices.

 

     
 
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