Our Mission
We are a Christian family of God and our purpose is to: proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ; promote spiritual growth through administration of sacraments, religious education, community outreach, etc.; and minister to people in the Parish and the world...
Our History
St. Barnabas Church and its properties are intertwined with both the growth of the Episcopal Church in America and that of Prince George's County, Maryland. Piscataway Parish in Charles County was established by an Act of the Province of Maryland and was included in Prince George's County upon its establishment in 1696. The original church was built in 1830 and consecrated as the sixth chapel of King George's Parish in 1837.
In parallel with the general growth of the Episcopal church, St. Barnabas grew. A new, larger church (called the "chapel") was added to the grounds in 1958 and a new parish hall in 1961. Attendance peaked in the '60s and early '70s with approximately 250 on an average Sunday. Problems facing the Church as a whole, compounded by changes in the area demographics, led to a significant decline in membership and attendance by the mid '70s.
In 1980, the Rev. Sanford Z. K. Hampton, was called and served as rector until 1989. Father Hampton pursued the goal of a truly integrated congregation. He engaged a retired African American priest, the Rev. Edward Brightman, to assist in the work of St. Barnabas, and Rev. Brightman continued to serve in that role until February 2009, when health required that he fully retire.
In 1990, the Rev. Paul Burrows was called to lead the parish. During his incumbency until 1994, we experienced many new Liturgies, St. Barnabas Day was held for the first time, and adult education was reactivated. However, during 1994, many members were lost over disagreements as to his style and practices and the resulting discord in the parish.
In 1995, we called Interim Rector the Rev. John Weatherly. Father Weatherly took steps to assist in the recovery of the parish - reaching out to old and new members and undertaking extensive visits in the parish. Father Weatherly was our Interim for almost two years.
In January 1998, we called the Rev. Sherrill Page as Rector. Reverend Page became the first female priest to lead our Parish before she resigned in January 2009. Rev. George Timberlake then assumed the role of Priest in Charge of the Parish for a brief period before the arrival of our current Interim Rector Rev. Shell Kimble.
In parallel with the general growth of the Episcopal church, St. Barnabas grew. A new, larger church (called the "chapel") was added to the grounds in 1958 and a new parish hall in 1961. Attendance peaked in the '60s and early '70s with approximately 250 on an average Sunday. Problems facing the Church as a whole, compounded by changes in the area demographics, led to a significant decline in membership and attendance by the mid '70s.
In 1980, the Rev. Sanford Z. K. Hampton, was called and served as rector until 1989. Father Hampton pursued the goal of a truly integrated congregation. He engaged a retired African American priest, the Rev. Edward Brightman, to assist in the work of St. Barnabas, and Rev. Brightman continued to serve in that role until February 2009, when health required that he fully retire.
In 1990, the Rev. Paul Burrows was called to lead the parish. During his incumbency until 1994, we experienced many new Liturgies, St. Barnabas Day was held for the first time, and adult education was reactivated. However, during 1994, many members were lost over disagreements as to his style and practices and the resulting discord in the parish.
In 1995, we called Interim Rector the Rev. John Weatherly. Father Weatherly took steps to assist in the recovery of the parish - reaching out to old and new members and undertaking extensive visits in the parish. Father Weatherly was our Interim for almost two years.
In January 1998, we called the Rev. Sherrill Page as Rector. Reverend Page became the first female priest to lead our Parish before she resigned in January 2009. Rev. George Timberlake then assumed the role of Priest in Charge of the Parish for a brief period before the arrival of our current Interim Rector Rev. Shell Kimble.
Property & Facilities
St. Barnabas is "an oasis of rural charm in a desert of urban development". The church, cemetery and chapel are within a grove of 40-foot oak trees and evergreens. The buildings are separately located on the thirty-acre property. The present St. Barnabas Church structure was built in 1851. The old church, which seats approximately 100, was completely renovated and the air conditioner was replaced in 1988 and dedicated in September 1989.
A modern, spacious chapel seating 250 was built in 1956. The air-conditioned undercroft houses the church administrative offices, a rector's office/study, classrooms, a nursery, and a meeting room with hostess facilities. In the early '90s, the parish acquired a used pipe organ to replace an electronic instrument. A parish hall was built in 1961. It accommodates approximately 200 and with its renovated, full service kitchen is the site of many Parish as well as community events.
A major goal for St. Barnabas is that we want to maintain and preserve the physical assets of St. Barnabas to be enjoyed and cherished by the generations to come.
A modern, spacious chapel seating 250 was built in 1956. The air-conditioned undercroft houses the church administrative offices, a rector's office/study, classrooms, a nursery, and a meeting room with hostess facilities. In the early '90s, the parish acquired a used pipe organ to replace an electronic instrument. A parish hall was built in 1961. It accommodates approximately 200 and with its renovated, full service kitchen is the site of many Parish as well as community events.
A major goal for St. Barnabas is that we want to maintain and preserve the physical assets of St. Barnabas to be enjoyed and cherished by the generations to come.
Worship
Regular services are held at 8 AM and 10 AM. Holy Eucharist is celebrated at the early service without music. At the 10 AM service, the Eucharist is celebrated using Rite II with music and a five-member choir. St. Barnabas is now more in the main stream of the church liturgically, though we do occasionally sing the service, use the sanctus bell, and burn incense. The laity participate extensively as licensed lay readers/chalists, lectors, acolytes, and ushers and as choir members.
The Sunday School has generally been meeting during the school year separately at 10 AM. The Sunday School participates in the main service with the adults after the sermon and during Communion. The parish continues to explore the best way to provide adequate time for instruction while assuring a meaningful worship experience for the students and teachers. After the 10 o'clock service, parishioners share fellowship during a coffee hour, welcoming visitors and partaking of light refreshments.
From mid-September to mid-June services are held in the larger "chapel" and during the summer in the smaller, air-conditioned old church with a simpler service(less music).
Additionally, there is often a mid-week Eucharist and healing service.
The Sunday School has generally been meeting during the school year separately at 10 AM. The Sunday School participates in the main service with the adults after the sermon and during Communion. The parish continues to explore the best way to provide adequate time for instruction while assuring a meaningful worship experience for the students and teachers. After the 10 o'clock service, parishioners share fellowship during a coffee hour, welcoming visitors and partaking of light refreshments.
From mid-September to mid-June services are held in the larger "chapel" and during the summer in the smaller, air-conditioned old church with a simpler service(less music).
Additionally, there is often a mid-week Eucharist and healing service.
People
St. Barnabas is a fully integrated parish with members deeply involved and acting in leadership roles. Respondents to a questionnaire used the words "friendly", "caring", and "family" as a reason that they traveled several miles, passing closer Episcopal Churches, to remain at St. Barnabas despite having relocated their homes years ago. Many Parishioners travel a considerable distance to attend services and activities.
“People lead by example and hard work. People are friendly and welcoming.”
“People lead by example and hard work. People are friendly and welcoming.”
Staff
The Reverend Shell Kimble - Priest in Charge
Cornelius Johnson - Organist/Music Director
Yvonne Speight - Office Manager
Vestry
Jim Mills - Senior Warden Tom Woods - Junior Warden
Kelly Greene - Registrar Annette Jackson – Treasurer
Frizzelle Renwick – Assistant Treasurer
Rose Long Horace Henderson
Margaret Greene Barbara Patterson
Jessica Mayers-Williams Mary Reeves
Adolfo Marierose
The committees and the leads are:
Stewardship – Frizzelle Renwick
Finance – John Shaw
Women of St. Barnabas - Margaret Hickman
Education – Barbara Tidwell
Memorials – Beverly White
The Reverend Shell Kimble - Priest in Charge
Cornelius Johnson - Organist/Music Director
Yvonne Speight - Office Manager
Vestry
Jim Mills - Senior Warden Tom Woods - Junior Warden
Kelly Greene - Registrar Annette Jackson – Treasurer
Frizzelle Renwick – Assistant Treasurer
Rose Long Horace Henderson
Margaret Greene Barbara Patterson
Jessica Mayers-Williams Mary Reeves
Adolfo Marierose
The committees and the leads are:
Stewardship – Frizzelle Renwick
Finance – John Shaw
Women of St. Barnabas - Margaret Hickman
Education – Barbara Tidwell
Memorials – Beverly White