Welcome to Saints Thomas & John
Nestled in the heart of Clear Lake, St. Barnabas is a welcoming Episcopal parish known for its brickwork walls gently covered in ivy and the warmth of its faithful core community. With deep roots in the village, we offer a place of prayer, reflection, and connection. Our congregation may be small, but it is vibrant, committed, and joyfully centered on worship, fellowship, and service. Whether you’re a lifelong Episcopalian, new to the area, or simply seeking a sacred space, St. Barnabas opens its doors to all who wish to encounter God’s love in an atmosphere of tradition, beauty, and hospitality.
Join us this Sunday at 10:30 AM
Holy Eucharist
Come as you are. No dress code required!
Address: 365 5th St, Clear Lake, WI 54005
Planning Your
First Visit:
Sundays, 10:30 AM
Holy Eucharist, English
What to expect: A friendly, small congregation; prayer-book liturgy; hymns you can hum; coffee and conversation after church.
What to wear: Whatever’s comfortable—jeans to jackets all welcome.
Kids & grandkids: Wiggly worshippers are beloved here.
Communion: All baptized Christians are welcome to receive; anyone may come forward for a blessing.
Our Story:
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Clear Lake was organized in 1905 by Archdeacon Henry E. Chase and officially listed as an established congregation by 1913. From its early days as a rural mission of the Episcopal Church, it has been sustained by a faithful core of members and strong lay leadership, with many families remaining active for generations. Known for its ivy-covered brickwork and small but steady presence in the Northwoods, St. Barnabas has embodied the character of a rural Episcopal community—resilient, prayerful, and deeply rooted in place. Through the 20th century, the congregation weathered shifts in clergy and resources while maintaining a vibrant sense of worship and fellowship. Today, St. Barnabas continues to gather at 365 5th Street in Clear Lake, now as part of the reunited Diocese of Wisconsin (2024), carrying forward more than a century of history with the same spirit of devotion and welcome that has defined it since its founding.
Prayer-book worship (BCP) with Scripture, sermon, and Holy Communion.
Music: Traditional hymnody with seasonal variety. (Expect familiar classics; we keep it singable.)
Seasonal observances: Advent–Christmas, Lent–Easter, and the church year anchor our rhythm.
Worship and Music:
Founded in Clear Lake (1905).
St. Barnabas was organized in 1905—diocesan records attribute, in part, our organization to Archdeacon Henry E. Chase, along with our dedicated local founding members. The first mission services were held in Clear Lake in 1905.
Early stability (1913).
By 1913, St. Barnabas is listed among established congregations in the historic diocesan journal’s historical roll of parishes/missions.
A small, steady mission.
Through the 20th century, St. Barnabas remained a small rural congregation typical of northwest Wisconsin—often sustained by part-time/shared clergy and strong lay leadership. Our history is rich with lifelong membership and lay leadership.
The place today.
The church worships in Clear Lake at 365 5th St, Clear Lake, WI 54005, in our historic and beautiful ivy-covered brickwork building, which is only made more attractive by the caring souls within.
Diocesan realignment (2024–present).
Historically part of the Diocese of Eau Claire, St. Barnabas now belongs to the reunited Diocese of Wisconsin after statewide votes in May 2024 and final approval by the Episcopal Church’s General Convention in June 2024.
