What is Baptism?
Baptism, or Christening as it sometimes known, is a ceremony that marks the beginning of the individual’s faith in Christ and their entrance into the Church. In its original form the person would have been fully immersed in water as a symbol of dying to the old life and rising again to a new life in Christ.
Today the Church of England often baptises both adults and very young children and at a font like this they are sprinkled with water that has been blessed by the priest. The meaning however is the same, and the family makes promises to bring their children up as Christians within the family of the church. The ceremony is then confirmed when the person decides for himself/herself to follow Jesus.
The font has been in use for over 900 years. Imagine how many children have been baptised here!
It is made of Frosterley Marble which was brought here from County Durham, and if you look closely you will see fossils in the stone.
Above the font itself is a very elaborately carved font cover or lid which would have been lowered and raised and used to keep the holy water safe from theft. It was made in 1726 and is a wonderful example of Georgian carving.
Heavenly Father, by the power of your Holy Spirit you give your faithful people new life in the water of baptism. Guide and strengthen us by the same spirit, that we who are born again may serve you in faith and love, and grow into the full stature of your Son, Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit now and for ever. Amen.
