Heroes & History
Baptismal Font - Catherine G. Johnson
“Truly, truly, I say to you, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God”, John 3:5.
Through the sacrament of baptism, we are welcomed into Christ’s holy church. Baptism is considered a form of “rebirth” by water and the spirit. Different forms of adult baptism include total submersion and pouring water over the upper part of the body. In a Christening, the baptism of an infant, involves pouring water three times over an infant’s forehead in deference to the trinity: "Father, Son & Holy Ghost."
Baptismal Fonts are often placed at or near the entrance to a church’s nave. This is to remind believers of their baptism as they enter to worship, since the rite of baptism served as their initiation into the church.
Our beautiful font is a gift “exdono” meaning "gift by legacy" of Miss Catherine G. Johnson. It was consecrated May 10, 1881. The Bishops’ address in the 1881 Diocesan Report read “After the service, I blessed the new font, a lovely and beautiful memorial of the good woman Catherine Johnson”.
Little is known about Miss Johnson. Personal memoirs from Henry Wynkoop notes "Miss Catharine Johnson was a hard working factory woman. Upon her death, she left the church as her residuary legatee. She was a devout and energetic churchwoman and a power in the Sunday school, standing as Godmother for numbers of children. From the money left by her, it was deemed that a baptismal font should be erected in her memory".
Our font is made of Caen stone, a soft cream colored sandstone. The inscription carved into it states “Dono. Catherine G. Johnson 1880”. Some baptismal fonts are three sided, as a reminder of the Holy Trinity. The significance of the octagonal shape of ours represents resurrection, rebirth and eternal life. The number eight has many references in religion; there are eight beatitudes, eight people in Noah’s Ark, Jesus rose from the dead on the eighth day, the oil in the Menorah burned for eight days, and God designed the eighth day to begin the new week. In Christianity, eight signifies eternity and a new birth or beginning.
In the Episcopal Church, both adults and infants are baptized, reminding us that God’s love is extended to all, regardless of age. Baptism is a celebration inclusive of the entire congregation, not only the recipient and sponsors. The verses of the baptismal covenant remind all in attendance that baptism is a journey of initiation and growth as members in the body of Christ.
Excerpted from original research and report submitted September 2011 by Sue Brignull, RN
“Truly, truly, I say to you, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God”, John 3:5.
Through the sacrament of baptism, we are welcomed into Christ’s holy church. Baptism is considered a form of “rebirth” by water and the spirit. Different forms of adult baptism include total submersion and pouring water over the upper part of the body. In a Christening, the baptism of an infant, involves pouring water three times over an infant’s forehead in deference to the trinity: "Father, Son & Holy Ghost."
Baptismal Fonts are often placed at or near the entrance to a church’s nave. This is to remind believers of their baptism as they enter to worship, since the rite of baptism served as their initiation into the church.
Our beautiful font is a gift “exdono” meaning "gift by legacy" of Miss Catherine G. Johnson. It was consecrated May 10, 1881. The Bishops’ address in the 1881 Diocesan Report read “After the service, I blessed the new font, a lovely and beautiful memorial of the good woman Catherine Johnson”.
Little is known about Miss Johnson. Personal memoirs from Henry Wynkoop notes "Miss Catharine Johnson was a hard working factory woman. Upon her death, she left the church as her residuary legatee. She was a devout and energetic churchwoman and a power in the Sunday school, standing as Godmother for numbers of children. From the money left by her, it was deemed that a baptismal font should be erected in her memory".
Our font is made of Caen stone, a soft cream colored sandstone. The inscription carved into it states “Dono. Catherine G. Johnson 1880”. Some baptismal fonts are three sided, as a reminder of the Holy Trinity. The significance of the octagonal shape of ours represents resurrection, rebirth and eternal life. The number eight has many references in religion; there are eight beatitudes, eight people in Noah’s Ark, Jesus rose from the dead on the eighth day, the oil in the Menorah burned for eight days, and God designed the eighth day to begin the new week. In Christianity, eight signifies eternity and a new birth or beginning.
In the Episcopal Church, both adults and infants are baptized, reminding us that God’s love is extended to all, regardless of age. Baptism is a celebration inclusive of the entire congregation, not only the recipient and sponsors. The verses of the baptismal covenant remind all in attendance that baptism is a journey of initiation and growth as members in the body of Christ.
Excerpted from original research and report submitted September 2011 by Sue Brignull, RN