St. Barnabas is part of a family of churches - a Christian “denomination” - known as the Anglican Church of Canada [www.anglican.ca] which, in turn, is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion [www.anglicancommunion.org].

The Anglican Church of Canada comprises 800,000 Canadians coast to coast in thirty regional areas called “dioceses” each administered by a local bishop. St. Barnabas is part of the Diocese of Calgary [www.calgary.anglican.ca], a region that could loosely be described as Southern Alberta, extending from the US border to north of Red Deer.

The Anglican Church of Canada is associated with the Church of England: the head of our church is the Archbishop of Canterbury. Yet we enjoy autonomy in most matters relating to faith and practice and in the integration of local customs and traditions into our church life. In fact, it might be said that of all Christian denominations historically the Anglican Church has been the most tolerant of differences among its members, both theologically and culturally.

The Anglican Church of Canada is also known for its effective partnerships with churches around the world, especially in developing nations, and also for its work in Canada ’s North. Recently it appointed an indigenous bishop to minister exclusively to the needs of Aboriginal Anglicans across the country.