The Baptistry

Most Baptists will require that a baptism is done as an adult, or at least at an age where a person can make a conscious profession of their faith. Traditionally, it is done by full immersion. 

 

Prior to the construction of our chapel we understand that full immersion baptisms were carried out at Hatchet Pond. Our chapel built in 1844 had a large baptistry (roughly 3m x 1m x 1.4m deep) which allowed baptisms to finally take place inside.

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There was no mains water onsite until 1949 when water was laid to a single tap in the back store. Prior to that we understand that the baptistry was filled with water brought from Hatchet Pond in barrels on a cart.

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There is no plug or drain from the baptistry so the water had to be bailed out by hand. Sometimes it was left full ready for the next baptisms. Needless to say, given the work involved

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The baptistry has been preserved intact and was filled in with loose bricks and sand before capping it with concrete. Teak parquet flooring from the lobby was used to match it into the existing floor. A subtle detail in the layout of the parquet floor indicates its position.