Need for a Larger Church:  Although greatly outnumbered by churches of the Lutheran and Catholic faiths in Fredericksburg, the one Episcopalian mission expanded rapidly.  It could seat only 33 people and its overflow soon convinced the parishioners that larger facilities were needed.  A building fund was started with a goal of $15,000, to be matched by the Episcopal Advance Fund.  The sum was raised and a contract given to  Jack Stehling of Fredericksburg.  He was assisted by David Burdick whose family was prominent in the church.  Plans were approved by the congregation on April11, and ground broken on June 11, 1964.

Laying the cornerstone and Commemorative Stone:  President and Mrs. Lyndon Johnson were among the attendees at the cornerstone ceremony on November 11, 1964.  In addition to the cornerstone, a stone from the St. Barnabas Monastery in Cyprus was placed on the South wall of the new sanctuary.  Bearing the inscription “From the St. Barnabas Church in Cyprus” the 16 x 18 limestone rock was presented to the local church by Mrs. Johnson.  It was given to her for the local church by Archbishop Makarios when President and Mrs. Johnson visited the Greek island of Cyprus in 1962. It is from the site where St. Barnabas, according to tradition, met a martyr’s death by stoning in the year 61.  President and Mrs. Johnson each placed trowels of mortar around the stone as it was laid.

Dedication of New Church:  The newspaper clipping from January 1965 reads “The new St. Barnabas Episcopal Church to be dedicated on Sunday evening January 31 meets the needs of the growing congregation ….The dedication culminates some 16 months of preliminary and ground laying work, according to Jack W. Langford, Priest-in-charge … when the church is completed its value, including the furnishings and the pipe organ being installed, will be in excess of $60,000.”

Stained Glass Windows:  The magnificent stained glass windows in the Sanctuary were designed by Becky Crouch Patterson.  She grew up on a ranch near Fredericksburg, the daughter of Hondo and Schatzie Couch.  Texas Hill Country flora and fauna are the inspiration for her liturgical designs; she creates new images to bring fresh life to traditional biblical themes.  Becky gave the following commentary on her designs:  “The windows on the south wall (right side facing the altar) represent the Beatitudes as presented in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.  These are Jesus’ standards for all Christians.  To practice the principles of the Sermon on the Mount today one must become a ‘New creature in Christ’ and open up to the teachings of the Holy Spirit….The windows on the north wall represent the ‘I am’ saying of Jesus from the Gospels.  Jesus is a storyteller and he reveals God to us through stories and images from everyday life.”  The windows were purchased by a fund which reflects loving gifts and memorials from St. Barnabas families and friends.  They were fabricated by Joe Juarez and his assistant Melinda Fore of Black’s Art Glass Studio in San Antonio.

Building the Parish Hall:  Ground was broken for a new Parish Hall incorporating a kitchen, church offices, and restrooms in October 1977.  Designed by parishioner Glenn Benjamin, the project was completed the following spring.  Many of the stones used were part of an old rock wall located on the ranch of one of the church members.  A work party from the congregation loaded and hauled the stones from the Tivydale area to the building site on the church grounds.

Paul’s Bell:  St. Barnabas was the recipient of a fine old bell in 1981, a gift from Paul Alban and his brother Tom.  There were two complications:  first, the bell weighed about a thousand pounds and second, it was in Michigan!  Undaunted, Paul and a friend jumped into his pickup, drove to Michigan, and brought the bell to Fredericksburg.  The bell sat in front of the church for five years.  Then it was designed into the tower of the new Christian Education Building, from whence it summons the faithful every Sunday morning. 

The Columbarium:  In 1987 a columbarium, in the shape of a cross was designed and installed in the from entrance garden, on the east side of the chapel.  By the end of August 1994 19 of the vaults had been occupied by church members or their families.

The children:  In the fall of 1993 St. Barnabas Church began a new direction in Christian Education—the Catechesis of the Good Shepard.  The children, aged three and up, meet in rooms aptly called atriums for in early times, it was in the atrium where worshippers first stopped to wash away the dirt of the roadway and quiet themselves before entering the basilica.  Here, with gentle help of trained catechists, the children can slow down and feel and know the presences of The Shepard.  All of the materials were lovingly made by our own parishioners and provide hands-on familiarity with the traditions of the church.  A visit to the atrium is a moving experience for it is here that our young ones are creating a special relationship with their God.

The Youth Group:  The EYC was started in the Fall of 1992 with the arrival of Stephen Kinney the new rector.  With Mary Lou White as co-leader, a weekly program of devotions, games, and special activities created new life in the church.  In addition to the regular curriculum they have had an exciting variety of special outing—rafting trips, airplane rides, a trip to Six Flags for a Christian rock concert, hikes, picnics and a “ropes course” at Mo Ranch—all with an eye to challenging both physically and spiritually.  The youth learn to provide leadership for the younger children of the parish as well as taking part in our Sunday services.

September 11, 1994:  A glorious day of rejoicing and of welcoming back old friends from afar and near.  A merry band of workers had erected an enormous tent on the Church grounds and, with flaps up to the breezes blow, the multitude gathered to thank God for forty years of worship in the family of St. Barnabas Episcopal church.  Five priests who had served in earlier times returned to share in the festivities along with a special representative from the Diocese and our present-day clergy.  There was rousing music, not only for the service but also to liven up the early arrivals.  And then there was food!  There was lots of food and birthday cakes on every table with which to salute this splendid occasion.  It was a memorable day which we shall always cherish.

Fifty years:  On Sunday, June 13^th Saint Barnabas kicked off a year long celebration of our 50^th Anniversary.  The day started with a wonderful parade.   Willie Marie Dietz, a founding member, led the parade in a lavender Cadillac convertible.  As the parade ended, we processed into a large tent where a large raised platform was provided for the altar, and seating for the participating clergy, and Bishop Hibbs who was the preacher and celebrant.  Dean Pratt, Bob Hibbs and Neal Michell, three of the five former rectors were on hand.  A delicious picnic lunch was served in the parish hall immediately after worship.  This was a tremendous event for the parish and the entire parish was involved in making it a huge success.