Position is everything in relation to the long narrow window of the Narthex, and why it is there. The ‘new’ font is octagonal in shape and larger than the Font it replaced in 2001 when Bishop Peter Smith Blessed it at the Consecration. Little is known about its origins other than it was reclaimed from a redundant church in Norwich and may date to the Restoration of the Catholic Hierarchy ca.1850. It is placed centrally within the Narthex or Welcoming space, reflecting a central Belief of our Faith. It is aligned with the feature window and directly in line with the Altar, visibly linking it to the Sanctuary.
The shape of the font is replicated in the paved floor surround creating a Holy space as a Baptistery. Each face represents one of the seven Sacraments of the Church: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Ordination or Holy Orders. The remaining face relates to the sanctity of this church and is opposite the Altar. The faces, except one, are decorated with vine, fig leaf and fruit motifs associated with the Garden of Eden; a reminder of our Original Sin. At Baptism, the ‘Light of Christ’ symbolically shines forth from the halo lights focussed on the crystal Holy Water stoup placed on the inset beaten copper dish. Christ’s light radiates through the Holy water and is reflected upwards illuminating the Cross on the glass atrium directly overhead. This Cross on the roof is unique in its 3D form. It appears as a complete Cross when viewed from any direct ion outside, and when illuminated by light from within the Narthex, visibly proclaims “Christ is present here.” Some Fonts, not ours, have a drainplug within the bowl so that the sanctified water could drain away to the earth, completing the cycle of Christian life, and returning it from whence it came. The narrow window enables a visual reminder of this cycle where the sanctified Water of Baptism returns to the earth and mingles with heaven sent rain coming off the roof. Font, Altar and Narthex are linked together within the Sacred Space that is the embodiment of our beautiful church.