St. Barnabas Congregation Moves Sunday Services to Bay High

Avon and Avon Lake residents who have worshipped at Bay Village’s St. Barnabas Anglican Church will have a new location to pray, starting Sunday, Nov. 20.

Worshippers found themselves without a building after its former building at Bradley and Wolf Roads – where many parishioners have worshiped for decades – was awarded to the Episcopal Diocese after a lengthy property dispute. 

Starting Nov. 20, the congregation will hold 10 a.m. Sunday services in the auditorium at Bay High School at 29230 Wolf Rd. until a permanent facility is built or purchased. In addition, the Anglican congregation – made up of more than 250 individuals – plans to change its name to Christ Church Westshore.

“All will be welcome at Christ Church Westshore,” Rev. Gene Sherman, an Avon Lake father of four, said. “We are a community of believers who seek to know God, love one another and serve the community around us.”

St. Barnabas’ existing leadership, including Reverend Gene Sherman, rector; Sean Templeton, assistant rector; and Robert Andrew, associate rector, will continue to lead the Christ Church Westshore congregation.

Sherman expected worshippers to take the move in stride.

“Our congregation understands that the Word – as it was handed down to us in the Bible, along with our caring church family, are more important than a building,” he said. “That is why we all are moving together to worship at Bay High.” 

On Sunday, Nov. 13, at 10:30 a.m., approximately 250 parishioners will proceed by foot and car to travel the .9 miles from Bradley and Wolf to Bay High School, with a police escort.

In addition to utilizing Bay High for its Sunday 10 a.m. service, Christ Church Westshore will use the Great Hall at Bay Presbyterian Church for its Monday Evening Prayer service at 7 p.m. and a Wednesday Holy Communion service at 10:30 a.m. Christ Church weddings and funerals also will be held at Bay Presbyterian Church for the time being. 

“Bay Village takes care of their own,” Sherman said about the outpouring of generosity from both Bay High and Bay Presbyterian Church.            

Christ Church will utilize office space at Bay Presbyterian Church, which is located at 25415 Lake Road. Effective Nov. 14, the phone number for Christ Church Westshore will be (440) 899-7151. The mailing address will be Christ Church Westshore, c/o Bay Presbyterian Church, 25415 Lake Rd., Bay Village, OH 44140. Online, find information at christchurchwestshore.com.

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