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The Baptistery, at the west end of the Church, occupies the large space created by the base of the tower. The Font dates from the C15th. This is where the Sacrament of Baptism is administered, by which new members are received into the Christian community and are born again into Christ’s family. By ancient custom the Font stands near the main (west) doors of the physical building, as a reminder that it is through Baptism that we enter Christ’s Church.
The tracery of the tower window is C15th, as are the other windows, with the exception of those in the north wall of the Chancel, and at the west end of the north aisle, which are C13th. In 1904 the tower window was filled with stained glass, the gift of the Revd. F. M. Stopford to mark his 50th year in Holy Orders. It is a powerful representation of Christ’s Second Coming and the Day of Judgement, and appropriately balances the episodes of Christ’s first Advent depicted in the east window. The same firm of artists that performed the work on the Chancel’s east window, Messrs. Hardman of Birmingham, was employed for the work, and it is interesting to notice how the passage of some forty years makes a considerable difference in style and taste between the tower window and their earlier work in the Chancel.
Also displayed on the walls of the Baptistery are the remaining pieces of lambrequin painted on canvas depicting the Annunciation. This lambrequin was painted by a Miss Anson in 1885 over the east window, but had to be removed as part of renovation work in the late 1990’s.
The 15th century font
The Baptistery from the nave