Church Fonts (Shire Library)

Product Information

The earliest western fonts are found in the Catacombs of Rome. The fonts of many western Christian denominations that practice infant baptism are designed for baptisms using a non-immersive method, such as aspersion (sprinkling) or affusion (pouring). The simplest of these fonts has a pedestal with a holder for a basin of water. The materials vary greatly consisting of carved and sculpted marble, wood, or metal in different shapes. Many fonts are in octagonal shape, as a reminder of the new creation and as a connection to the Old Testament practice of circumcision, which traditionally occurs on the eighth day. [2] Some fonts are three-sided as a reminder of the Holy Trinity to represent the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three persons in one. in certain circumstances a faculty may be granted for the disposal of a font in one way or another, and each case will turn on its own facts. A footnote: when I was Rector of St Christopher Withington, in south Manchester, and the Bernard Miller church was declared unsafe and worship transferred to the church hall for several years, we deliberately used items that were at hand to create liturgical furnishings – a trestle table for the altar, a lectern from a bookstand on a table, and a handsome large bowl for baptisms – setting up and clearing away every Sunday. We still have that bowl – we didn’t smash it, but would certainly not use it to serve pasta or whatever. But that was an untypical situation; I’m glad to say that the fine Alan Durst font was recovered from the church when it was demolished, and looks wonderful in its new setting when part of the church hall was permanently remodelled as the place of worship.

regardless of the method by which the font was attached to the floor of the church, the principles applicable were those relating to the disposal of chattels under St Gregory, Tredington; The Chancellor indicated that a proposal might be worked up to place the Edwardian font in another location in the church, where it would not be used as a font but could ‘co-exist peacefully’ with the medieval font. If this was not practical or desired, then new plans could be placed before him for the removal of the font from the church to store or to another church. As a consequence and using his powers under the paragraph 19.3 (1)(a) Faculty Jurisdiction Rules 2013, the Chancellor directed that in respect of Faculty 3808, that part of the Schedule which states “and Edwardian font to be buried within the church” shall be deleted from the Schedule of works authorised. The quantity of water is usually small. There are some fonts where water pumps, a natural spring, or gravity keeps the water moving to mimic the moving waters of a stream. This visual and audible image communicates a "living waters" aspect of baptism. Some liturgical church bodies use consecrated holy water for the purpose of baptism, while others will use water straight out of the tap to fill the font. [8] A special silver vessel called a ewer can be used to fill the font. Most baptismal fonts have covers to prevent water from evaporating and to protect baptismal water against contamination.

Free Church Fonts

The 2011 Measure contains separate provision (s.76(1)) for dealing with the font, altar and Communion plate in accordance with directions of the bishop, unless the scheme directs otherwise. Such items are usually transferred by the DBF [Diocesan Board of Finance] to another church in the area of the benefice, failing which they might go to another church or chapel in the diocese, as directed by the bishop. The DMPC should advise the Commissioners on any particular requirements for dealing with these items in the scheme itself so they can include the appropriate wording. The consolidated proceedings Re St Philip Scholes [2016] ECC Lee 5 were largely an enquiry into how “such an unhappy situation” surrounding the unauthorized removal and treatment of a font from the church arose. However, these considerations gave rise to a number of subsidiary matters including the law relating to the disposal of fonts [36 to 45]. Under r 8.7 Faculty Jurisdiction Rules, the Worshipful Mark Hill, QC, directed that there be consultation with the Church Buildings Council, and expressed his concern that “a statutory body which has such an extensive experience of giving and collating advice across both provinces of the Church of England was so unwilling to give assistance in this case” [34]. Re Eastern Green St. Andrew [2018] ECC Cov 6 Petitioners sought to remove the existing stone font installed in 1975, currently situated at the north-east end of the nave, near the pulpit. This would be replaced with a new portable solid-oak font, incorporating the original font bowl and cover. The Chancellor granted a faculty, subject to a condition that when not in use, the new font should be positioned at the west end of the church. He also authorised the disposal of the stone font, and if it could not be used in another church or appropriate setting, it was to be buried in the churchyard. Fonts make for fascinating study, as they come in so many shapes and sizes, with decoration ranging from non-existent to elaborate. Late Saxon and early Norman fonts are often built in a simple tub shape, while other variations have the bowl supported on four corner pillars, or a single central column. During the later medieval period it was more common to see polygonal font bowls on a central column. The bowl faces could be elaborately carved with religious symbols, figures of saints, Green Man variants, heraldic shields, and other designs.

A common problem some small and medium-size churches can have is an established logo for their church overall but a mismatch of logos for their different ministries. When you create your own style guide you could consider how your ministry logos tie into your church branding overall. Again it’s important to be clear on the correct and incorrect use of these logos. So finally, burial in the churchyard. Vic Soc may regard this as ‘incomprehensible’, but the DAC advice was right to point out that, while they ‘do not recommend the destruction of fonts’ the lawyers’ direction (F1.3 again) means that burial must remain as the last resort. Clark Ch does not appear to have taken this issue into account in his judgement, merely concluding that it is the very last thing he would wish to authorise. He’s not ruling it out, but I suspect he too regards it as incomprehensible. When it comes to creating an impactful and cohesive online presence for your place of worship, remember that the right choice of typography can truly elevate your message. Using fonts to create a welcoming online presence is essential in attracting and engaging visitors. The impact of font choice on user experience cannot be underestimated. the Arches Court rejected the view of the CBC that the sacramental nature of the font meant that it could never be sold or disposed of for another use.Geoffrey R. Sharpe , Historic English Churches: A Guide to their Construction Design and Features (London: I. B. Tauris & Co., 2011) Baptisms of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are usually undertaken in a simple font located in a local meetinghouse, although they can be performed in any body of water in which the person may be completely immersed. In Latter-day Saint temples, where proxy baptisms for the dead are performed, the fonts rest on the sculptures of twelve oxen representing the twelve tribes of Israel, following the pattern of the Molten Sea in the Temple of Solomon (see 2 Chronicles 4:2-5). The following are notes I have made from Nicholas Orme’s excellent book Going to Church in Medieval England. Well worth a read.