Issue 35— January 1996
Towering inflation
St Barnabas Church launches its public appeal for the restoration of the famous tower on Thursday January 25 at the Printer's House in OUP. Why there? Well, that is where the original benefactor lived. Thomas Combe was the Superintendent of OUP and it was he who commissioned and paid for the construction of the church in 1869 at a cost of £6,492. All the interior fittings were provided for about £900. The campanile was erected in 1872 for £800. Now St Barnabas is faced with a large repairs programme. Costs have risen somewhat. Repairing the tower, along with rewiring and drainage works will come to £250,000. English Heritage has offered £53,000, but that still leaves a big shortfall.
