Bay Village congregation bids church farewell

More than 300 people attended a final service at St. Barnabas Anglican Church Nov. 13 after the congregation lost a legal battle with the Episcopal Church for ownership of the 61-year-old building.

The Rev. Gene Sherman, who leads the local congregation, told worshipers that God is their shepherd and he is leading them in another direction.

After the service, the majority of the congregation left the colonial-style church to walk in a procession nearly one mile to the Bay High School auditorium, which will serve as their sanctuary beginning Nov. 20. The auditorium may serve as the church’s primary place of worship for the next three to five years as the congregation looks into constructing a new church building.

The church also changed its name following the final service. It is now known as Christ Church Westshore and is part of the Anglican Church in North America.

The church’s offices and some weekday services will be housed temporarily at Bay Presbyterian Church at Lake and Columbia roads. To read more, click here.