Saint Barnabas Milestones

1959

February 15

Initial meeting with organizing pastor, the late Rev. Dr. James E. Detwiler, at Richardson Heights Elementary School.

March

Organization with 35 members of St. Barnabas United Presbyterian Church by Dallas Presbytery.

Purchase of 5 1/2 acres for church site.

April 26

Ground-breaking ceremonies for Manse-Chapel.

August 1

Installation of first pastor, the Rev. James R. Struthers, from College Hill Presbyterian Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

August 16

First Worship Service in new Manse-Chapel, 110 Mimosa Drive.

September

Closing of Charter Membership Roll with 63 names.

December

Membership 69

1960

Organization of United Presbyterian Women and Church Choir

Summer

First Vacation Bible School

December

Membership 99

1961

May

Call of the Rev. Struthers to pastorate of First Presbyterian Church, Stillwater, Oklahoma.

June

Campaign for Building Fund to build Chapel and Educational Unit (Building 1).

August 1

Acceptance of call to St. Barnabas by the Rev. Ronald E. Hubbard, First Presbyterian Church, Pampa, Texas.

September 10

Installation of the Rev. Ronald E. Hubbard as Pastor.

November

Adoption of plans for church building.

December

Membership 105

1962

February 11

Ground-breaking for Chapel and Educational Unit (Building 1)

July 29

Worship and Holy Communion in new Chapel.

Dedication by Presbytery of Trinity of new Chapel.

December

Membership 156

1963

June

Institution of two Morning Worship Services

August

Congregation now self-supporting.

December

Membership 230

1964

June

Building Fund campaign for new Education Unit (Building 2)

September

Initiation of two sessions of Sunday Church School.

December

Membership 313

1965

May

Approval of plans for additional educational facilities.

November

Completion of new Educational Unit (Building 2)

December

Membership 360

1969

Teen choir organized

Harry Meissner serves as Seminary Intern

1974

May

Long Range Planning Committee established to study needs for staff, building, etc.

September

Long Range Planning Committee surveyed congregation and tabulated opinions of programs, hopes, expectations, etc.

1975

August

Pastor Hubbard suffered a heart attack. Cynthia Campbell served as Interim Moderator. The members gather together to "carry on."

1976

April 4

Ground-breaking for Building 3, which included fellowship hall, four classrooms, parlor and kitchen.

Called the Rev. Jill Senior as Associate Pastor. Her duties included Christian education, youth ministry resource person, and special needs of young adults.

October 17

Pastor Senior installed as Associate Pastor.

1977

January

Dedication of Building 3. The fellowship hall was named Hannah Fellowship Hall in recognition of Bill Hannah's efforts on each of the Building Committees.

1978

September

The pastoral relationship with the Rev. Senior was dissolved. She accepted the position of Associate Executive for Vocation and Leadership Development with the Synod of Lincoln Trails in the state of Indiana and Illinois.

Sally Brown was hired as Christian Education Facilitator and resource person for the Christian Education Committee.

October

Pastor Hubbard announced his plans to retire the last of June, 1979.

December

Membership 565

1979

June 24

The Rev. Ronald Hubbard was honored at a retirement reception on his last Sunday in the St. Barnabas pulpit. Pastor Hubbard served St. Barnabas for 18 years.

July - October

The Rev. David Mack served as pulpit supply and interim moderator

August 31

Pastor Hubbard's official retirement date.

September 9

Congregation called the Rev. B. Gordon Edwards as pastor.

October 28

Installation of the Rev. B. Gordon Edwards, from First Presbyterian Church of Bristow, Oklahoma.

December

Membership 566

1980

March

Bobbie Cissne retired after 16 years as church secretary.

April

Installation of the large cross on the outside of the Sanctuary, a gift from charter members Bill and Gus Hannah.

July 15

Loren Stenberg was called as the Associate for Ministry, from San Antonio, Texas.

November

The first Women's Association Christmas bazaar was held in Hannah Hall.

1981

April

Handbell Choir organized

April 15

The first St. Barnabas blood club drive was held and 41 pints contributed.

June

The Muong family, Cambodian refugees, arrived in Dallas with the sponsorship of St. Barnabas.

September

Mona Bailey became a Seminary Intern.

1982

April 18

The second blood club drive was held.

May

Mona Bailey completed her internship at St. Barnabas.

June 8

The Rev. Edwards was awarded the Doctorate of Ministry degree at McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, and the congregation honored him with a reception in Hannah Hall.

1983

February 20

The formation of the Oui Jest Clown Troop was recognized by the Session.

April 10

The third blood club drive was held and 27 pints were contributed.

April 24

Congregation began celebration of our 25th year. Theme: "Birth Days Create / Celebrate Life Into God's Family." The Rev. Ronald Hubbard preached.

June

Steve Jester became the Seminary Intern for the summer.

July

Youth conduct mission work at Sunset Gap Community Center, Tennessee.

July 31

Wine was served at communion for the first time.

November 20

The Rev. Dr. James R. Struthers returned to preach. "Family Tree" planting ceremony.

1984

January 1

The Rev. Ronald E. Hubbard passed away.

January 22

The Rev. Ms. Jill Senior Hudson returned to preach.

Congregation received report from Capital Improvements Planning Committee; decided to elect a Capital Improvements Steering Committee on March 4, 1984.

March 3,4

25th Anniversary Celebration of founding of St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church.

At the 25th Anniversary of the founding of St. Barnabas, our staff includes the Rev. Dr. B. Gordon Edwards, Pastor; Loren Stenberg, Associate for Ministry; Marilyn Stolk, Secretary; Sandra Wetherington, Choir Director; Ed Dawson, Organist; three part-time custodians and four part-time babysitters.

Our present membership is 433 communicants, which includes 184 family units. As we look to the challenges of the future, we pray that our number will increase and be strengthened, that our witness will be felt by many and that our talents will be used more fully to the glory of God.

1985

March

Building Campaign for Sanctuary

1986

February 3

Network of Community Ministries is formed by the Richardson Ministerial Alliance.

March 9

Ground-breaking for Sanctuary

September

Margaret Gumma becomes Hanbell Choir Directory

1987

March

Margaret Gumma becomes Organist

August 16

Service of Entry in new Sanctuary

September 13

Dedication of Cornerstone

October 11

Dedication of Sanctuary

1988

Building Campaign - Phase II

1989

April

First Annual Garage Sale

August 20

Dr. B. Gordon Edwards accepts pastorate at First Presbyterian Church, Stillwater, Oklahoma

Fall

Stephen Ministry program begins

November - August 1990

The Rev. William S. Caldwell serves as Interim Pastor

1990

November 11

Installation of the Rev. Thomas C. Gibbons as Pastor

1991

Building Campaign - Phase III

Fall

LOGOS program begins

1992

January

DeWayne McCollough becomes Director of Music

1994

Building Campaign - Phase IV

May

Betty Ann Houchins becomes Church Secretary

1995

Roberto Melian becomes Church Custodian

Relationship begins with the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (Voi, Kenya) with visit from George Gitahi

1996

Susan Elliott becomes Children's Music Coordinator

June

Bob Crook & Tom Gibbons visit Voi, Kenya for 10 days

September

Kenya church sends George Gitahi to Columbia Seminary in Atlanta

1997

Building Campaign - Phase V

Spring

Joseph Waititu visits St. Barnabas from Voi, Kenya

June

Loren Stenberg leaves to join faculty of RISE Academy

Summer

Eight member of St. Barnabas visit Voi, Kenya, hosted by Joseph Waititu and Muhoro Kairu

Michelle Vetters becomes summer Seminary Intern

October

Andrew D. Wilson becomes Seminary Intern

Christmas

George Gitahi and his family (Rahab, Michael and Catherine) visit St. Barnabas

1998

June 14

Installation of the Rev. Benjamin H. Dorr as Associate Pastor

1999

March 21

Celebration of 40th Anniversary of St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church

Carol Brant begins as church secretary

Andy Wilson completes his role as seminary intern

Charlie Bridges begins as pianist for morning worship

December 12

Building committee elected for planning new addition

2000

June

Chancel Choir joins Emmanuel Presbyterian Church of Bedford for a concert tour of England and Scotland

December

The old Advent tradition of the "Hanging of the Greens" is revived

2001

January - June

Lee Davenport and Elain Majors teach in Voi, Kenya

June

Worshop Rotation Model, a new exciting learning format is implemented for grades 1-6 church school classes

October

George Christ begins as organist and bell choir director

2002

Caroline Ruesink begins as Celebration Choir director

The Rev. Benjamin Dorr marries Heather Stewart

Scholarship program started for St. Stephen's in Voi, Kenya

2003

May

Dedication of new addition to church: Providence Hall, choir room and kitchen

June

Sanctuary Choir joins Northway Christian Church of Dallas for a concert tour of Austria, Italy and Switzerland