The 60th Anniversary of the consecration of the current St Barnabas building inspired the Church Windows Project.
Stephen Castledine of Castledine + Castledine was commissioned to create designs that reflected our call to Service and Spiritual Journey that is grounded in this place.
The window film was printed and installed by Discus Print and Signage.
Sanctuary Windows
The sanctuary windows are a series of gothic window designs inspired by the patterns created by the crossed fronds of local Zamia palms and Xanthorrohea grass trees.
The rising Sun with cross halo draws us outside to live the faith we profess
Narthex Windows
The Narthex windows reference the features of the Narthex and our sense of place at the centre of our local community:
- the sacrificial service remembered in the narthex memorials -
- our faith as journey and pilgrimage -
- our location near the northern terminus of the Bibbulmun track -
- our patron Barnabas and his missionary vocation -
- the Narthex as the place of Baptism. -
The Six Creation Panels within the Narthex
Day 1
"Let there be light."
Day 2
“Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters"
God called the dome Sky.
Day 3
“Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place,
and let the dry land appear.”
“Let the earth put forth vegetation...”
Day 4
“Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night...”
Day 5
“Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures,
and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.”.
Day 6
“Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind...”
“Let us make humans in our image...”
The Three Hero Panels within the Narthex
Mandorla Shape - represents the intersection of heaven with earth and evokes the incarnation.
Panel 1 – The Burning Bush
"We are standing on sacred ground"
The burning bush evokes our experience of bushfire
and those who put themselves on the line to protect lives and property.
Panel 2 – The Pilgrim Journey
"We are called to follow Christ"
The path lead to the rising Sun symbolising our journey to the risen Christ.
The winding path evokes the Bibbulmun Track which has become a place of spiritual significance to many.
Panel 3 – The Scallop Shell
"I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
The rays of the sun continue the lines of the scallop shell which is a traditional symbol of the Pilgrim and of Baptism.
The shell evokes the ocean to the west and at the southern terminus of the Bibbulmun Track in Albany.
The Development of the Windows
The commissioning of the windows at St Barnabas Church was very much an initiative of Father John Ward, Rector of this parish from 2013–2024. Sadly, Father John died in August 2024 after a brief illness.
Stephen Castledine, the artist who designed the windows, kindly prepared a booklet in Father John’s memory.
Printed copies are available for $10, from the parish office.