Baptismal font facts for kids
A baptismal font is a special basin or container used in churches for a religious ceremony called baptism. During a baptism, water is used to welcome someone into the Christian faith. Fonts can be small, holding just enough water to sprinkle or pour over a person's head. Others are much larger, like a small pool, where a person can be fully dipped under the water.
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What is a Baptismal Font?
A baptismal font is a very important piece of furniture found in many Christian churches. It's where the ceremony of baptism takes place. This ceremony uses water to symbolize a new beginning and a person's entry into the Christian community.
Different Kinds of Fonts
Baptismal fonts come in many shapes and sizes, depending on how the baptism is performed.
- Small Fonts: Many fonts are like large bowls or pedestals. These are used for baptisms where water is sprinkled or poured over a person's head. This method is often used for babies or young children.
- Large Fonts: Some fonts are much bigger, like a small pool. These are designed for baptisms by "immersion," where a person is fully dipped under the water. This method is often used for adults.
History and Design
Baptismal fonts have been used for hundreds of years.
- Early Designs: In ancient times, baptisms often took place in rivers or large public baths. Later, special buildings called baptisteries were built next to churches, which had large pools for immersion.
- Medieval Fonts: Over time, fonts became smaller and were moved inside the main church building. Many old fonts are made of stone and are beautifully carved. They might show scenes from the Bible or symbols of faith. For example, some old fonts are shaped like an octagon (eight sides), which can represent the eighth day, symbolizing new creation.
- Modern Fonts: Today, fonts can be made from many materials, including stone, wood, metal, or even glass. Their designs vary greatly, from very simple to highly artistic. Some modern churches have large immersion pools that are part of the main worship area.
Images for kids
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A Romanesque baptismal font from Grötlingbo Church, Sweden, carved by Sigraf, a master stone sculptor who specialised in baptismal fonts.
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A modern baptismal font in the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston, constructed in 2008
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Detail of carved baptismal font cover (created 1930s), Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd (Rosemont, Pennsylvania)
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Octagonal baptismal font in Magdeburg Cathedral, Germany.
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Ship's bell as Baptismal font at chapel, Yeo Hall, Royal Military College of Canada.
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Font in a church at Lenzen, Brandenburg (Germany).
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Oval marble font made before 1686, St Robert's Church, Pannal, North Yorkshire.
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Baptismal font at Fort Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City, Michigan.
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The baptismal font of Saint Bartholmew parish church in Marne, Italy.
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The baptismal font at St. Raphael's Cathedral, Dubuque, Iowa, was expanded in 2005 to include a small pool for immersion of adults.
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The marble baptism font at St. Matthew's German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
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Baptism of an infant in the Russian Orthodox Church (St. Petersburg).
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Tinned copper baptismal font from Bulgaria.
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Baptismal font in the Salt Lake Temple of the LDS Church, ca. 1912. The twelve oxen supporting the font represent the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
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Baptismal font used in Malankara Church from 11th century AD @ Mulanthuruthy Marthoman Church
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Baptismal Font in the Basilian Monastery of Santa Maria, Grottaferrata near Frascati, Italy.
See also
In Spanish: Pila bautismal para niños
