St Barnabas church is the second to have stood on the site. The first was a large, brick
Victorian Gothic building consecrated in 1894 which replaced a less permanent structure
further down the hill towards Dulwich Village. In 1915 this was made the Parish church of
Dulwich. It was destroyed by fire on the 7 of December 1992. A few reminders of this
building remain; the south wall in the Welcome Area was the wall of the Lady Chapel, and
the outline of the nave is marked in the garden by low walls. In the Courtyard is the base
of the font, and stonework found after the fire is incorporated in the wall of the Memorial
garden. The font at the west end of the church is a remnant from the old church too. The
building in which we now worship is the fruit of faith, professional ability, communication
and vision.

The main building is founded on eight piers of reinforced concrete sheathed in brick, recalling
the brick structure of the Victorian church. Four twin longitudinal beams span the space
between the piers, creating the clear internal space which is the defining feature of the church;
each consists of two steel trusses sheathed in plasterboard, with light penetrating between
them. The high beams carry the slate-clad upper walls and the main roof with its internal vault
of beech slats; the low beams carry the side vaults. Over the altar is an unique glass spire, built
around a stainless steel frame and seated on an octagonal slate plinth. By night it glows as a
beacon; by day it brings light into the centre of the church. The orb and cross at the top gleam
in sunlight. The floor of slate and terra-cotta tiles incorporates hot-water pipes for heating.
The stained glass was designed by Caroline Swash, and crafted by Goddard and Gibbs.

                                                        Construction work began in June 1995, and was completed by September 1996. The slate came
                                                        from Cornwall, the stone from Penrith. The furniture was designed and made by Luke Hughes
                                                        and Company. The church was dedicated in October 1996.

                                                        On Sunday 29 October 2007 members of St Barnabas, both past and present came together for a
                                                        special Festival Eucharist, to give thanks for the first 10 years of ministry, worship and
                                                        fellowship and to see the blessing and dedication of the Hunter Bell.

                                                        The main body of the church holds up to 400 people, but for major services 650 people can be
                                                        accommodated by opening the doors into the chapel and the Community Suite. At a normal
                                                        Sunday service over 300 people worship here. St Barnabas strives to serve the community - the
                                                        ancillary buildings are used for everything from children's birthday parties to small conferences
                                                        and exercise classes.