The Font
There are a number of placements for the baptismal font, in the various church traditions. For example, in the Anglican churches, the font is often located at the entrance to and within the nave - associating baptism with joining the church. In Roman Catholic churches, baptism is sometimes (though not necessarily) a private ceremony. The font may be placed in a side chapel or in the narthex. In the Reformed tradition, baptism is a corporate act of the whole church. This usually means the font is near the front of the sanctuary, in plain view of the congregation. This is the case at Shadyside Church.
While many Presbyterian churches use a font as simple as a small silver bowl, Shadyside's font is substantial in size and replete with carved symbolism. This font was custom designed for Shadyside by Charles Marcus Osborn, during the sanctuary remodeling in 1938. Below is a detail from the full size drawing made by Osborn to instruct the stone carver. It is done in pencil on tracing paper (a thin, semi-transparent medium just a little heavier that tissue). The church is fortunate that this and other fragile drawings by Osborn have been preserved. The depiction uses a combination of measured, ruled lines and freehand treatment.
The wave-like pattern is a clear reference to the baptismal waters, even the waters of the Jordan where John baptized Christ. The shell motif is a common baptismal symbol. The descending dove refers to the Holy Spirit which came down upon Christ.
Carving detail for wood font cover.
Many fonts are eight sided, a form to which Shadyside's base conforms. There is a rather obscure reference to eight being the symbol of new life: Christ was resurrected on the "eighth day of Holy Week," counting from Palm Sunday. Baptism's connection is to the cleansing from sin to a new life, associating the Christian with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection.
