St Barnabas Church and Vicarage

A New church for ‘New Humberstone’ 

The Grade II listed St Barnabas Church was opened in 1886 to meet the needs of the rapidly growing population of New Humberstone. Its first vicar, Rev William Mangan, held services in the Overton Road Board School until funds could be raised for a building “more fitted to elevate the thoughts of those who take part in them”. Most of the cost of over £6,000, nearly £1M at today’s prices, came from private subscriptions from “worthy gentlemen”, and events such as bazaars. The funding was still £1,000 short when the church was consecrated by the Bishop of Peterborough in June 1886. 

‘Picturesque and Pleasing’ 

St Barnabas was designed by the Leicester architects Goddard and Paget in the Perpendicular style, and built by the local firm of G. Hewitt. Its “picturesque and pleasing“ exterior was made of red brick with Bath stone dressings. Its “exceedingly well lighted” interior could seat 600 worshippers, and was designed so that everyone could see the officiating clergy. Other notable features included a large stained-glass window depicting the crucifixion. This was given in memory of the hosiery manufacturer Edwin Corah, and made by the London firm of Burlison and Grylls.  

From Church to Banqueting Hall 

A vicarage with a unique asymmetrical frontage was built close to the church in the early 1900s, to the design of local architects Langley and Baines. By the end of the century, however, the church’s congregation was declining as people of other faiths moved into the area. In 2011 services were transferred to St Barnabas School, which also took over the vicarage. In 2015 the church became a banqueting hall, retaining many of its original features. Among them is a memorial to a former curate, Rev Bernard William Vann, the only Church of England cleric to be awarded a Victoria Cross in the First World War.  

The Chapel of the Church