St. Barnabas’ Church, Pound Hill, was dedicated on Saturday 8th October, 1955 by the Bishop of Chichester, Dr. G.K.A. Bell, as recalled in a newspaper article from the Crawley Observer, dated Friday October 14th 1955.   The site was purchased with the proceeds from the sale of land given to the Church Council by the late Sir Desmond Montefiore.

It is noted by the newspaper that “the new church and dual-purpose hall cost approximately £18,000 and has 10 electric fires recessed high in the walls, and sunken ceiling lights” (although they were actually gas powered!).

The article goes on to say that “modern fabrics have been chosen for the hangings, and bright colours for the paintwork”. The Bishop said he “admired the landscaped gardens, the choice of colours for the paving stones and the whole setting of the church.”

The first curate-in-charge was the Reverend Eppingstone.

With future additions of the hall and pastoral centre, the church has changed over the past 50 years to be what it is today. In 1972, all the church was re-dedicated, in much the same layout as today.

Click here for information on St Barnabas today.