Mission & Governance

Our Mission

The Friends of St Barnabas exists to promote strength of community in the parish, and to preserve our Grade II* listed building as an asset for the community and for all our visitors, ensuring it survives to be handed down to the next generation.

We arrange events to entertain, bring the community together and raise funds. The Church receives no central church or government funding and the building is cared for entirely by volunteers.  We can only do this through voluntary donations and fundraising events. 

Governance Overview

The Friends of St Barnabas Church, Ranmore is a formal, fundraising organisation that aims to ensure the long term future of St Barnabas Church, provide an income stream to support church finances and to encourage wider use of the church building and grounds.  It is accountable to the St Barnabas Ranmore Parochial Church Council (PCC) which is a registered charity.  The Friends derives its charitable status from this accountability. 

Our written terms of reference state that the Friends has two objectives:

• To raise funds for the fabric of the building and the grounds.
• To involve and support the local community.

This means widening the circle of people supporting the Church and raising funds towards the cost of:

• Preserving the fabric of the church; structural repairs, restoration and insurance.
• Maintaining the churchyard and historic treasures.
• Overhaul of major items such as heating, lighting, organ
• Keeping the building safe, dry and welcoming for all visitors.

Our success will be determined by how effectively we achieve these things. 

Funds raised will be held within the PCC’s accounts (either as a restricted fund for repair, maintenance and insurance of the church or in general funds) benefitting where appropriate from HMRC’s charitable Gift Aid scheme.