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Tour of St. Barnabas |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
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.
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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.
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| 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. |
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The blue kneelers
at the altar rail have symbols of the altar needlepointed on them. |
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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. |
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| 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. |
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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. |
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The low wall
bordering the western side of the church property was built in 1891
from granite boulders brought from fields near Highfield Hall.
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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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