New Baptismal Font
The following is taken from the Proposal for a New Baptismal Font at St Andrew's Church, Hurstbourne Priors (19th December 2005) - and taken from the Order of Service - 21st October 2008
The previous font was 12th century Norman work, constructed of Caen stone.
“St Andrew’s Church is situated in open surroundings of a particularly tranquil and spiritual nature in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. An avenue of mature lime trees leads to the churchyard gates.
On entering the church by the west door, the immediate impression of the interior is somewhat austere; the new font presents a rare opportunity to introduce a decorative and welcoming point at this end of the building.
After much thought I chose the text “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16) from the Sermon on the Mount, as I have always found it especially profound and arresting, and apposite as an inscription on a baptismal font. In my proposed design the text is arranged to form visually coherent groups of words, carved in relief and set amongst decorative foliage, most of which is found around the churchyard and has religious significance.
The circular form of the bowl and its decoration allude to the passage of time from daybreak to nightfall and through the seasons.
The foliage depicted begins, facing the west door, with the snowdrop (purity) and violet (humility); the gilded rays of the rising sun shine through lime leaves. In January and February a carpet of snowdrops is a feature of the churchyard and in spring, violets grow in the shade of the yew trees. Oak leaves and acorns convey strength and faith and the vine, with its clear Christian symbolism, also refers to summer and then the autumn’s rich harvest. Yew foliage and berries suggest the close of the year and are joined by a rising dove and a star.
The orientation of the font allows the words “Let your light so shine” with the gilded sun behind to be seen immediately on entering the church. The text continues around the bowl past the south window and “Glorify your Father which is in heaven” will be highly visible on leaving the church from the altar towards the west door.
A section of green Cumbrian slate, carved to represent a river with fish, will stand between the existing column and the new bowl, thus creating a distinct separation between the original and the new components of the font. The carved fish provide, amongst other symbolism, a clear reference to St Andrew, and the river to the Bourne Rivulet which runs on the east side of the churchyard.”
Marilyn Smith, Carver and Gilder
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