Since 1859, St Barnabas Church, affectionately known as Barneys, has been a fixture of life in the inner western fringe of the City of Sydney.

Right from the beginning, Barneys was unconventional, non-conformist and even controversial. It’s first minister, Thomas Smith, was a non-ordained pastor and the church became known as "Pastor Smith's barn."

"... the church was very appropriately placed, because it was not on a hill to be viewed merely as a picturesque feature in the landscape, but was in the neighbourhood of squalor, and where offensive sights and sounds continually arrested the senses and passers-by."
Bishop Frederic Barker (circa 1860)

In its early years, Barneys was surrounded by some of the worst living and working conditions in Australia. It was soon regarded as a 'mission church' and became a magnet to the poor, the hungry and the 'intemperate'.

Many who received practical assistance also found fellowship and faith. Early in the 20th century, Archdeacon Robert Hammond used Barneys as the foundation for his work with unemployed, destitute and evicted families, spawning the Anglican Church’s most successful parish relief agency at that time.

From the mid 20th century, led by Reverend Howard Guinness, Barneys focussed on the spiritual needs of thousands of university and college students who studied and lived nearby.

Barneys became the chaplaincy church for both Sydney University and, later, UTS. Overseas students studying in Sydney have found a spiritual home and fellowship at St Barnabas.

In 2006, all this history, all this work, went up in flames as Barneys – the church famous for its 'noticeboard duels' with a neighbouring pub – burned to the ground.

(Taking the Gospel to students and academics) "... demanded more than enthusiasm and faith; it needed brains, imagination and work to all hours."
Howard Guinness, Rector, St Barnabas (1951)