About Us
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Records show that our first parish priest was present in 1180, so our presence in Barnsley goes back a long way.  Our current parish priest has been with us since September 2014, having spent the previous nine years in a neighbouring Parish.  We continue to offer Christian care and hospitality to the people of the Town Centre and Old Town. 
St Mary’s Church is close to the Town Hall, Barnsley College and many businesses – we try and keep the building open as much as possible for people to come and pray, sit quietly or just to admire the stained glass and memorials.  If you’re planning a special visit it would be worth contacting us in advance to ensure that the building is going to be open.
St Paul’s Church, situated just off Greenfoot Lane in Old Town, is sadly less well known and is one of Barnsley’s hidden gems.  It is a fascinating art deco building from the 1930s where many family memories have been made.  We will celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2016.  Apart from Sunday mornings, St Paul’s is usually open on Tuesday and Friday mornings before and after services when visitors are more than welcome to pop in.

The Parish has been influenced for many years by the Catholic Tradition of the Church of England and as such we hope to offer Christian worship and mission that would be recognised across the world, but with our own local flavour.  All people, without exception, are welcome to attend worship, approach us for pastoral care or to seek Christian guidance.We follow all appropriate Safeguarding practices.  The clergy and certain lay volunteers are all DBS checked.