Church of Saint Barnabas, Swanmore facts for kids
The Church of St Barnabas is a special church in Swanmore, a village near Southampton in Hampshire, England. It belongs to the Church of England, which is the main Christian church in England. This church was built a long time ago, in 1844. It is considered a very important old building, known as a Grade II listed building. This means it's protected because of its history and unique design. The church is part of the Diocese of Portsmouth, which is like a local church district, and also part of the Bishop's Waltham Deanery, a smaller group of churches.
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History of St Barnabas Church
Building the Church
The Church of St Barnabas was built in 1844. A famous architect named Benjamin Ferrey designed it. He used a style called Neo-Norman, which looks a bit like the old Norman castles and churches from hundreds of years ago. When it was first built, the church was part of the Diocese of Winchester.
Important Changes Over Time
In 1846, some important changes happened. The Church of England's Church Commissioners (people who manage church affairs) asked Queen Victoria for permission to join the nearby church areas of Droxford and Bishops Waltham with St Barnabas's in Swanmore. Queen Victoria was the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, meaning she was the head of the church. She agreed to this plan, which also had the support of the Bishop of Winchester.
Later, the church building grew bigger. In 1863, parts of the church called the vestry and chancel were made larger. Then, in 1876, a tower was added, and new windows were put in.
Moving to a New Diocese
In 1927, the Church of St Barnabas moved to a different church district. It became part of the new and independent Diocese of Portsmouth. This meant it was no longer under the Diocese of Winchester.
Recent Updates
The church has been looked after over the years. In 2011, it had some important updates. A new boiler was installed to keep the church warm, and the roof of the tower was re-tiled. This helps keep the old building in good condition for everyone to enjoy.
Churchyard and Community Use
The Church of St Barnabas has a churchyard next to it. This is where people were buried in the past. However, the churchyard is now full, so no new burials can happen there. There is still a special area for burying ashes after cremation. The church building is also used for other events, like concerts, which brings the community together.
