Although Pearson, having been responsible for the design of many important church buildings throughout Britain in the second half of the 19th century, considered St Barnabas to be one of his less significant works – describing it as "one of my cheap editions" — it has become one of the few Grade II*-listed churches in Brighton and Hove.
In common with several other late-19th century churches in the city, such as the Church of the Annunciation, the main construction material was flint which had been knapped to produce flat stones suitable for building walls.
The roofline and windows are embellished with red-brick dressings, and the lancet windows reflect the Early English Gothic and Decorated Gothic styles.

A vicarage was added in 1893 by different architects, while in 1907 George Frederick Bodley, an architect closely associated with Brighton's churches, provided a large reredos consisting of a gilded wooden triptych whose central panel depicts the Crucifixion.
This was one of Bodley's last works before his death in the same year.
A set of choir stalls and a pulpit, both made of oak, were added soon after the church was finished, as was a font of alabaster.
There are various stained glass windows, including one commemorating victims of World War I; however a tower intended for the southwestern corner was never completed.

The church's lych gate war memorial commemorates Victor Richardson, Roland Leighton, and Edward Brittain; the "Three Musketeer's" immortalised in Vera Brittain's iconic autobiography of the first world war "Testament of Youth".
Although Pearson, having been responsible for the design of many important church buildings throughout Britain in the second half of the 19th century, considered St Barnabas to be one of his less significant works – describing it as "one of my cheap editions" — it has become one of the few Grade II*-listed churches in Brighton and Hove. In common with several other late-19th century churches in the city, such as the Church of the Annunciation, the main construction material was flint which had been knapped to produce flat stones suitable for building walls. The roofline and windows are embellished with red-brick dressings, and the lancet windows reflect the Early English Gothic and Decorated Gothic styles.
A vicarage was added in 1893 by different architects, while in 1907 George Frederick Bodley, an architect closely associated with Brighton's churches, provided a large reredos consisting of a gilded wooden triptych whose central panel depicts the Crucifixion. This was one of Bodley's last works before his death in the same year. A set of choir stalls and a pulpit, both made of oak, were added soon after the church was finished, as was a font of alabaster. There are various stained glass windows, including one commemorating victims of World War I; however a tower intended for the southwestern corner was never completed.
The church's lych gate war memorial commemorates Victor Richardson, Roland Leighton, and Edward Brittain; the "Three Musketeer's" immortalised in Vera Brittain's iconic autobiography of the first world war "Testament of Youth".
St Barnabas Church, Hove