On the 14th May 2006, after the Anglican Broadway St. Barnabas Church was burnt down on Wednesday early morning, the faithful flocked to the University of Sydney where Sunday Service was conducted as usual.
The hall was packed with people streaming in where for some the destruction of the church was still overwhelming.
Reverend Ian Powell the senior minister at the church gave a status report. Thanking God for the way the media reported, he stated that at 3:17 am a neighbouring building alarm went off. The fire engines were first at the scene and the church elders were later contacted. By the time they arrived the building was nearly consumed with fire where thankfully no one was hurt.
During the status report he stated it was vital that the one of the church ministry the International fellowship continued to go on. He said it was important that the church still go out to proclaim the Gospel boldly where although a lot had changed but the core mission of the church would never change.
A visual presentation was then showed where many pictures of the church and members were displayed, which brought both laughter and tears from the congregation. When the presentation was being shown a song written and sung by a member of the congregation was being played.
The chorus to the song: ‘Where else are we to go when you (Jesus Christ) have the words of eternal life’ was sung loudly by the members. This summed up the fighting spirit in the members of St Barnabas Church where it was not the physical structure that people came to the church but rather the word of God. Reverend Powell stated that no structure whether man built or the high heaven could contain the Almighty Lord. He is with us everywhere.
After the presentation, members of the congregation were encouraged to share about the memory they had in St Barnabas. Hearing from some it was the sign outside the church with eye catching saying.
Ramon William wrote: “St Barnabas was known in earlier days for its ‘ongoing sign board battle’ with the nearby Broadway Hotel directly opposite. The signs changed regularly, much to the amusement of passers by. The Column 8 section of the Sydney Morning Herald had quoted several such slinging matches, including one at Christmas. St Barnabas stated: ‘Wise men came to Jesus – they still do.’ To which the Hotel retorted: ‘Wise drinkers come to Broadway – they still do’.”
Two prayers followed afterwards where in the Thanksgiving prayer the person praying had some brief pauses signalling that St Barnabas Church was not just a physical structure but an emotional and spiritual centre, which had a profound impact on those who came in and out of the church.