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The first recorded service of St. Barnabas' Church was held on Easter Sunday, 1901 in the Masonic Hall
in Arroyo Grande. Bishop Nichols, second Bishop of California, and Archdeacon John A. Emery later
visited Arroyo Grande and the name St. Bamabas' was given to the mission on September 1, 1901. Shortly
thereafter, Mr. R. W. Sanford, owner of Tar Springs Ranch, donated two lots on Mason Street. A small
church was built there at a cost of $689. The first service in the new church was conducted on January
19, 1902, by Archdeacon Emery. During the first half of the century, the mission was supported by the
Diocese of California and was served by a succession of clergy from neighboring parishes and by
layreaders.
It wasn't until 1949 that St. Barnabas' had a resident clergyman. In August, 1949, Robert L. Darnall
became the first resident Vicar Clergyman. In January 1950, work began to move an army chapel from Camp
San Luis to a location on the corner of Grand Avenue and Barnett Street. The first service in the new
church was held on December 10, 1950. The original church was sold to the Roman Catholic parish of
Arroyo Grande and moved to Oceano where it stands today. During the early sixties, the Sunday School
wing, parish hall, and offices were built with used lumber and donated labor. On March 15, 1959, the
St. Barnabas' Mission applied for and achieved Parish status.
In January, 1986, under the leadership of Rev. McHugh, a dream began to take shape to build a new
church at a site southeast of the Barnett St. location. The ground breaking ceremony for the present
church was held on November 12, 1989. On December 9, 1990 the first service in the new building was
held at 301 Trinity Ave. The Sunday School addition was completed during the summer of 1991. St.
Bamabas' Episcopal Church has enjoyed a century of ministry, outreach and worship in the Arroyo Grande
Valley and surrounding areas. It is just the beginning.
THE FIRST CHURCH
St. Barnabas' Episcopal Church began with the visit of Bishop Nichols and Archdeacon John A. Emery
establishing it as a mission on September 1, 1901. R. W. Sanford, owner of Tar Springs Ranch, donated
two lots at the corner of Mason and Poole Streets and the first vestry accepted a proposal submitted
by B.F. Stewart on December 12, 1901, to build a small church for a total of $689. The church was
constructed primarily of redwood and was completed in January, 1902. The first service was held
January 19, 1902, with 74 people present. The church served the congregation well for almost fifty
years and was eventually sold to the Roman Catholic parish and moved to Oceano where it still stands
today.
THE SECOND CHURCH
Ground breaking for the second St. Barnabas' Episcopal Church took place in the spring of 1949, on
the corner of Grand Avenue and Barnett Street. In January, 1950, work began to move an army chapel
from Camp San Luis to the new location. The move was completed in June, 1950. The men of the
congregation completed remodeling the church to fit the needs of the congregation and the first
service was held on December 10, 1950. In later years classrooms, a parish hall, and a kitchen were
added. This facility served the congregation of St. Barnabas until 1990 when it was sold.
THE THIRD CHURCH
The official ground breaking ceremony for the third church was held on November 12, 1989. While
the new church was being built, services were held in the Seventh Day Adventist Church at 240 Vernon
Ave. in Arroyo Grande. The first service was held at 301 Trinity Avenue on December 9, 1990. The
Sunday School addition was completed during the summer of 1991.
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