[2][3] St Barnabas, like many similar churches in the expanding towns and cities of Victorian England, was built to minister to the spiritual and practical needs of the poor and labouring classes.

The architect was Sir Arthur Blomfield, a son of the Bishop of London, who had previously designed the chapel for the Radcliffe Infirmary.

The architectural style is that of a Romanesque basilica, possibly modelled on San Clemente in Rome or the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Torcello.

St Barnabas has a distinctive square tower, in the form of an Italianate campanile, that is visible from the surrounding area.

[3][9] Dr Amanda Vernon has written a short essay surveying the appearance of St Barnabas in literature.

A short guide to the building and its story is available from the church, as is the Emma Bridgewater 'Jericho' mug, commissioned specially for St Barnabas.