Hello, my name is St Barnabas and I am a Grade II * Listed Chapel of Ease, close to the Bidwell Brook by the rural hamlet of Brooking, near Dartington, Totnes. I am a peaceful sanctuary for many creatures, including bats, butterflies, wild flowers and people too (including the beloved dead in my churchyard). Please help me survive, so I can continue to serve the communities I am part of.

In Winter 2024 all but one of my congregation left. I was getting a bit too broken, damp and cold for them. Although they loved me, they were feeling too old and tired to look after me. Just the youngest member, Sam, stayed behind and has been joined by friends and colleagues from her social enterprise, Wild Monastery . In collaboration with The Church of England who own me, they are hoping to save me, so I can continue as a community space and not be sold off into the private sector.

People who meet me say I am beautiful, sacred and help them to feel calm and connected. Over the last year, I have hosted interfaith retreats, gatherings for neighbours, seasonal celebrations, some inclusive Christian services and other creative events. Yet to continue to do this in 2026 and beyond I need three things:

1. Some funds to help cover running costs in this transitional time. Over the next year, this needs to be at least £2,000, which is about half the total costs.

2. Some funding for urgent repairs, including mending stonework, treating woodworm and fixing broken lights. My friends will be applying for grants and yet I also need to show funders that there are people who care about me, so we hope to raise at least £1,500 to go towards repairs.

3. Setting up for income generation. Wild Monastery has creative plans for ways to generate income, based on offering hospitality. The first step in this is to move a shepherd's hut into the churchyard, which can be used as a library, study and warm space, and can also be rented out as a 'one to one' meeting space for local eco therapists, counsellors and mentors. This beautiful and moveable building is being lent by a friend and yet funds of at least £1,500 are needed to help move and set it up, including some fencing for security.

Not only do my friends want to help me, they also hope to show how people of any sacred or secular orientation can work together to sustain community space. I have been a gathering place for over 170 years, please help me to take the next steps in remaining so in the years to come...