The little wooden church on the hill has been Oriental Bay’s backdrop for more than a century. The structural part of St Barnabas went through a full-scale restoration in 2007 from strengthening the foundations to replacing the tower, along with a new entrance and heating. But the leaking main roof was left for the next re-paint when scaffolding would be needed for both jobs. So now, ten years on, both have been completed. The Friends of St Barnabas and parishioners have raised $65,000, with another $10,000 needed.

St B’s is a thriving church with a wide-ranging age group including a programme for youngsters during the Sunday service. The music tradition is thriving with Mark Dorrell leading an enthusiastic choir. Archdeacon Stephen King — who arrived in 2006 to lead the parish through the restoration — left last September, and Rev Annette Cater is filling his place until a permanent appointment is made.

— Bay View newsletter 71, May 2018