MemorialsSt Barnabas Anglican Memorial Church, Urunga
About
The memorial is a large brick and tile Anglican church in Urunga, dedicated to those who served in the First and Second World Wars. Dedication plaques are set in the front of the church exterior, beneath a large wooden cross. On one side of the church is a sanctuary hall. The church has a high gabled roof and at the front is a large portico entrance. In June 1945 a meeting of parishioners unanimously decided to rebuild the church, originally founded in 1899, as a war memorial church (Daily Examiner, 8 June 1945). A Church of England War Memorial Church Building Fund was created, and fundraising activities commenced, including a Monster Rodeo and Woodchop at Urunga held on Easter Monday, 22 April 1946, with prizes to the value of £200 (Daily Examiner, 14 February 1946). Numerous fundraising events continued over the next few years in aid of the Building Fund, including sports carnivals and grand balls. Following the Second World War, shortages of building materials influenced building plans including public halls and churches. It was not until 30 April 1960 that a memorial plaque dedicated in memory of those who served in the two World Wars was set by the Right Reverend K J Clements, Bishop of Grafton. The church was officially consecrated on 11 June 1969 by the Right Reverend Robert Gordon Arthur, Bishop of Grafton. The architect of the church was R J Board and Son.