St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Mamaroneck, N.Y.
and St. Barnabas, Pimlico, London


London Link is an initiative of the Episcopal Diocese of New York and the Diocese of London. The Link program began in 2006 and is intended to promote a deeper spiritual relationship between the two dioceses. Linked parishes engage in various activities according to their interests and needs.


As the Diocese of New York notes on its website: “The connection between the Dioceses of New York and London goes back to colonial times, when our diocese had not yet been formed and the Bishop of London had jurisdiction over all of the churches in the North American colonies. Nowadays, things are more equal, and relations between the Diocese of London and the Diocese of New York are strong and cordial

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The program is informal in the sense that each pair of churches sets its own goals and practices. During the pandemic, for example, some parishes held joint virtual services and prayed for each other every Sunday. Pre-COVID, members of a parish from New York who were visiting London would be sure to visit their Link church.


Similar hospitality was extended to British visitors to New York. Sometimes, clergy arranged for pulpit exchanges and rectory swapping. Members of linked parishes enjoy an existing connection with a church when they visit each others’ cities, or a ready-made church home if they move permanently across the Atlantic.


Interested in pursuing a London Link and with the approval of clergy, St. Thomas Mamaroneck was put in touch by the diocese with St. Barnabas, Pimlico and both churches agreed to move forward with the relationship. The St. Thomas vestry approved the link at its March 2025 meeting.

St. Barnabas Pimlico is located in southwest London, near Ranelagh Gardens (where the Chelsea Flower Show is held) and the National Army Museum. Pimlico is between the neighborhoods of Kensington and Westminster (Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey).

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Founded by the Rev. William Early Bennett, the church was consecrated on St Barnabas Day 1850. (St. Barnabas is actually younger than St. Thomas!) Its style is Early English Gothic and the architect was Thomas Cundy. From the beginning, St. Barnabas had a strong musical life. The compilers of Hymns Ancient & Modern held their meetings there and editors planning the English Hymnal met in the Clergy House.


Today, St. Barnabas is a welcoming, inclusive Anglican parish. The statement of welcome on its website reads: “How would I describe St Barnabas Church? A place of encouragement and service. A genuinely friendly and welcoming community where people can be as involved as they feel called to be. Women and men play an active part in all aspects of parish life. “Whilst the word 'inclusive' can be used in different ways and for different reasons, I would say we are 'inclusive' because Jesus calls us to welcome everybody. We are a dog friendly parish too! A number of the congregation bring their dogs to services on a regular basis.”

St. Barnabas clergy:

The Rev. John Pearson-Hicks, whose domestic partner, Daren Pearson-Hicks, also works at St. Barnabas, is priest-in-charge, and the curate is the Rev. Theodora Jejey, who originally hails from the Congo.


St. Barnabas also has a monthly food ministry, similar to St. Thomas, but a community tea rather than a community dinner.


Going forward, St. Thomas and St. Barnabas are excited to explore the relationship further, with links on each church’s website and commemoration in the prayers of the people.


At St. Thomas, the London Link contact person is Solange De Santis. At St. Barnabas, Linda Ulrich is the contact person.

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