The font that was installed recently at Redeemer was supplied jointly by New Holland Church Furniture of New Holland, Pennsylvania, and Henninger’s Inc of Brook Park, Ohio. New Holland crafted the base out of rift-sawn red oak wood, and Henninger’s sourced the carving of the marble top from artisans in Carrara, Italy.
Not in Picture: Brenda Douglass, Stephen Hallock
The font was custom-designed, and a traditional eight-sided font was chosen because of the symbolism associated with the eight sides. Christ was raised on the 8th day of the week, and likewise believers received new life through baptism. Also, in the Old Testament, infant boys were circumcised when they were eight days old. With circumcision being the shadow of the substance that is baptism, an eight-sided font reminds us of that connection. Lastly, the eight-sided font reminds us of the eight souls that were saved in the flood on Noah’s ark. The Flood Prayer is traditionally said during a baptism, so this symbolism provides additional reinforcement.
The font was placed at the entrance to the nave in part to provide ornamentation where there had previously been none, but also to show that we are a congregation that places an emphasis on the sacraments. The placement of the font also is in keeping with the tradition that baptism is the entrance into Christian life in the church.
The eight-sided font presented us with the opportunity (and challenge) of including carved imagery on the font. It was decided that four alternating panels would contain Luther’s Rose. The remaining four panels would contain Noah’s Ark, the Agnus Dei, a shell (a traditional symbol of baptism), and a descending dove which represents the Holy Spirit who is delivered in baptism. Mr. Edward Riojas was commissioned to provide graphic consistency amongst the carvings. Mr. Riojas’ designs are also featured in Redeemer’s new paraments.
Submitted by-Chris Goldbeck
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