Press Release from Hereford After Easter, we will be commencing an exciting project to relocate the font to a central position at the west end of the nave to ensure that baptism can regain its pre-eminent role in the life and worship of the cathedral community.
The font dates from the mid-twelfth century and is a fine example of the work of the internationally renowned Herefordshire School of Romanesque Sculpture and deserves far better display than it is currently afforded. Formed as a deep cup-shaped tub with a Greek key (a rare motif in England) incised around the rim of the bowl, the font has below its rim an arcade of twelve semicircular arches framing a human figure within each arch. These figures were almost certainly the twelve apostles, several of whom are holding books, and all but one of the faces have been mutilated, probably during the Reformation.
The works in progress
Canon F.1.2 of the Church of England’s canon law requires that ‘the font shall stand as near to the principal entrance as conveniently may be … and shall be set in as spacious and wellordered surroundings as possible.’ The current location of the font (it has had at least three previous locations) does not comply with this canon and makes use of the font during worship extremely difficult because it stands in a cramped area that is invisible to the majority of the congregation. By placing the font on a new plinth close to the principal (west) doors of the cathedral, we will be able to accord the appropriate dignity to the place where baptism is administered, emphasizing that baptism is the primary sacrament, through which people of all ages are grafted into the Body of Christ and become members of his Church. As we are welcoming more families and young people into our community, as well as more adults who are at the beginning of their faith journey, it seems fitting that the font should be restored to a more prominent place within the cathedral and benefit from a direct visual relationship with the principal altars, reminding us that baptism opens the door to the reception of holy communion.
The Chapter is grateful to Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust for securing the generous donations and grants which were made specifically for this project and especially pleased and grateful that some of the funding arises from our ecumenical relationships with Christians of other churches. The project will be completed before the Three Choirs Festival in July.
In the meantime, please do direct any questions to Marc Leppard, the Chief Operating Officer & Chapter Clerk: coo@herefordcathedral.org
The contractors working on this project are:
Miles Building & Conservation Ltd
Hudson Stonework Ltd
The Chapter is grateful to Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust for securing the following generous donations and grants which were made specifically for this project by:Â
Lord Savile’s Charitable Settlement (1981) in memory of Tom Davies, Chair of Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust 1998-2007
In memory of James Nicholas DL
The Headley Trust
Sir Roy Strong CH
Clive Richards Foundation
Derek Trumper
David Plowman
Carolyn Beves
Marcus and Liz Steel
Patrick, Oliver & Tommy Vaughan
The Reverend Canon Bill Richards & Mrs Jane Richards
This project has also been generously supported in memory of Jeremy and Anne Clay who were both great supporters of the Cathedral during their lifetimes.
