Worshippers at St John the Baptist, Knaresborough chose the Feast of St Barnabas to hold a celebration service attended by Bishop Anna to mark the end of a three-year re-ordering project, made possible by £180,000 donated by local residents Barney and Julia Skrentny.
“During that time architects and contractors strove to create our vision of enhancing this beautiful and historic building, so that it is fit for purpose for the 21st century and beyond… our mission continues apace from here!” said Team Rector Garry Hinchcliffe.
During the service Bishop Anna spoke about the Barnabas of the Bible. “Barnabas wasn’t his real name but a nick-name which means ‘Son of Encouragement’ - which is exactly what he was. 
“It all began when he sold a field and laid the proceeds at the feet of the apostles in the early church. This wasn’t because he was asked or because there were bills to pay, but because he wanted to joyfully encourage them and aid their cause to share the good news of Jesus.
“His encouragement continued in many ways including making sure every person, whoever they were, was fully welcome in the growing church, as well as nurturing Paul in his vocation, while others questioned and doubted.
“The spirit of encouragement is one we have seen here at St John’s throughout this project and is one we can all nurture in our churches by being like Barnabas – joyful, generous and full of hope.”
Key elements of the re-ordering included new easy-access glass doors to make the building brighter and more inviting and access for all has been enhanced throughout the church, as well as space for young families, visitors and the congregation to meet socially.
St John’s lighting has been improved and added pew-cushions make the church more comfortable. Screens have been installed to allow for a wider range of worship styles, as well as wider church and community activities.
“A small kitchenette now helps us offer more friendship and fellowship for small groups, plus we have a bespoke creche area and better storage solutions throughout,” Revd Garry said.
He explained that the project, although enthusiastically supported by the church congregation, was only made possible through the extremely generous support and funding of Mr and Mrs Skrentny of Scriven Park, Knaresborough.
“They captured the vision, ran with it and brought it to fruition. It stands as their legacy and as their gift to the people of our town,” Revd Garry said.
Speaking after the St Barnabas Day service, Mr Skrentny, whose full name is Barnabas, told of his wife Julia’s life-long connection with St John’s, where she was christened.
Several years ago, she also paid for new pavements outside the church, having renewed her worship there after returning from life in London, and Chicago, USA where the couple first met.
“I was a department manager in a firm and Julia arrived from England as an admin clerk and one day she told me I’d made a mistake in my work,” said Mr Skrentny.“I said, ‘I never make mistakes.’ But do you know what? The next week I deliberately made a mistake, which she picked up of course, and that gave me the chance to ask her out for dinner.”
The couple later moved to London, where Mr Skrentny set up his own insurance business that became extremely successful nationally and abroad, especially after they moved to Knaresborough and invested in the town.
“God has been very favourable to me and so I’ve been able to help a lot of people,” said Mr Skrentny, who learned the importance of Christian philanthropy from his Polish grandfather, who had emigrated to the USA to work as a monumental mason, and was also called Barnabas, as is the couple’s son.
“Generosity is part of our religious life, but I never thought I’d be able to share wealth on the scale that I have. I have always donated my personal money, not business money – I don’t hold with doing that,” he said.
“If you’re successful, you should share it with others and of course, you can’t take it with you.”