The Community Church of St Barnabas — South Arm, Inc., was created in response to the announcement made on 6 May 2018 by the Bishop of the Anglican Docese of Tasmania to sell 100 properties, including 70 churches. The Anglican Church of St Barnabas, South Arm, was included in this list.
The response from the community of South Arm, Opossum Bay, and others was swift. Funds were raised to purchase the church and property from the Anglican Diocese. The deconsecration service, held on 13 June 2021, marked the church’s transition to community ownership.
Saint Barnabas Community Church’s Historic Cemetery predates the church by 30 years, with the first recorded burial in 1859. The cemetery features graves of local families and pioneers, reflecting the early history of South Arm and Opossum Bay.
The church was dedicated on 27 July 1892 and consecrated on 8 April 1893. The Gellibrand Fellowship Hall was dedicated on 17 April 1988.
The Church Committee’s mission is to provide an ecumenical church that is a vibrant centre of spiritual guidance, support, and pastoral care for the local community. We aim to maintain the historic church and Historic Cemetery as a revered resting place for loved ones throughout the generations.
The vision is for Saint Barnabas Community Church to be a welcoming place of Christian worship and spiritual comfort, and to enable the community to celebrate and preserve the historical significance of the church and the Historic Cemetery.
Discover the church’s past, present and future. View photos of the site and find the latest church updates.
Support the preservation of the historic site and cemetery, and/or find out about using the Church as a venue or burial site.
A space for the Church’s committee to manage events, meetings and records.
