St. Barnabas Episcopal Church has been a staple in downtown Sykesville for over 150 years. While this church is rich in history, it is about to get an upgrade with a new parish house on the grounds.
The original parish house was located in the heart of Sykesville and was sold in May 2013. The proceeds from this sale have gone to the construction of the new parish house which will consolidate the church buildings to one campus. This will create additional space for worship, outreach and gatherings as well as a new Christian education facility and kitchen.
It is the hope of the church that this "renovation will allow us to open our facilities to community groups who need a place to meet that is also handicap accessible," said Molly McEvoy, junior warden and liaison between the church and the construction company.
In 1850, James Sykes, whom Sykesville was named for, donated the land where present day St. Barnabas and its new parish house stands. The original parish house on Main Street was built in 1835 by a doctor who gave the building to his daughter and son-in-law.
St. Barnabas was originally designed to act as a satellite church for Holy Trinity, located three miles down the road in Eldersburg. In 1844, Susanna Warfield, daughter of George Warfield, petitioned for a new chapel in Sykesville as it was a difficult trip for many to travel to Eldersburg to attend Holy Trinity Church.
On June 11,1850, the first corner stone was laid in what is now the historic chapel of St. Barnabas. The chapel was completed and consecrated on Dec. 11, 1851. Holy Trinity Church in Eldersburg, fell into disrepair and was torn down in the 1940's. However, the old Trinity cemetery remains and is tended to by a committee from St. Barnabas.
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church has been a mainstay in Sykesville since 1851 and still serves the community today. In 1981, the church was restored, under the guidance of the vestry and former rector, Joe Burroughs, to maintain the original architecture including the original stonework, pews, altar and windows. With the completion and blessing of the new Parish house, community outreach will resume.
"We are excited about becoming a greater part of the Sykesville community and expanding our ministry," McEvoy said.
For more information about St. Barnabas and its history, go to http://www.stbarnabassykesville.org.
West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department Auxillary is holding a toy drive from Dec. 1 to 21. Drop off new, unwrapped toys (no stuffed animals) in the boxes located at the front entrance of the fire station. The address is12535 Old Frederick Rd, Sykesville. Thank you for supporting this wonderful cause.
The Columbia Figure Skating Club has announced its annual production of "The Nutcracker on Ice" opening the weekend of Dec. 13 at the Columbia Ice Rink. There will be a total of four performances beginning Saturday, Dec. 13, at 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.; and then again on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.
This production features over 100 performers ranging in ages from 3 years to adult from all over Central Maryland, but several performers are from right here in our neighborhoods. Those skaters are Brenna Fenlon, Bailey Fenlon, Katie Tincher, Faith Zaruba, Allison Bonier, Emily Mongold, Montana Ignacio, McKenna Schindler and Neena Sengupta.
Come out and support these local skaters in what is quickly becoming a holiday tradition! For more information, go to http://www.columbiafsc.com.