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Baptismal Font
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It is only through baptism that one gains entrance into
Christ’s holy church. A hand cast crystal baptismal bowl is placed prominently
in the entry, a frequent reminder of how it is we were called to Him. This slightly
green font is rough on the outside with a relief of scallop shells at its base. It
is womb-like on the inside, smooth and large enough to cradle an infant.
Living water flows from this bowl into the larger
immersion pool below, making a delicate splashing sound. The waters in the immersion
pool are reflected darkly by the selected glass tiles—a reflection of the mystery of
baptism. For in baptism we die with Christ so that we may rise with him to newness
of life. Out of these dark waters small spots of color spill out pointing the
way to the table of the Lord where the neophyte will be nourished for the first time on
His body and blood. |
| These spots of glass tile are the same colors seen
in the stained glass window depicting the baptism of the Lord which is located directly
behind the font. The Jordan River seems to flow from the window into the font below.
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The exterior walls of the font are sheathed in natural,
green slate, similar to the green found in the polished marble that caps the wall.
The shaped marble was reclaimed from the communion rail that once separated the sanctuary
from the nave. Five original hand cast crystal tiles with images of scallop shells
are set in the wall. The scallop shell, a traditional symbol of baptism, also
adorned the earlier font. The eight sided font recalls the eighth day in which one
lives, once baptized. The number three correlates to
Christ’s resurrection on the third day. Three steps from one side lead down into the
font and three steps facing the altar lead up and out of the water. When the newly
baptized rises from the water on to the third step into the view of the assembly they
acclaim, “You have put on Christ. You have been baptized. Alleluia!
Alleluia!”
The floor that surrounds the font is made of eight sided porcelain
tiles and diamonds of green slate. An intricate border of triangles and diamonds
surrounds the floor. The polished green marble at the perimeter hearkens to the
dark waters. |
| The ambry is located to the west side of the font on
a column of green slate. The hand blown glass bottles, fashioned from Mt. St.
Helen’s ash, rest on the column. Their colors mimic the colors in the stained
glass window. The bottles, each a different size, contain the holy oils blessed each
year at the Chrism Mass by the Archbishop. The oils are used to anoint those
baptized and confirmed, the sick, and strengthens those to be baptized. Eventually,
the oils will be secured in a locked crystal case.
Lighting is arranged to enhance the oil ambry as well as the small pedestal font and
immersion font.
The water in the font is routinely filtered using an electric charge
and is heated just prior to baptism. When the water is drained it flows into the
ground, this being the proper way to dispose of sacramentals. |
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