Wilne Baptismal Font

This medieval sandstone baptismal font is located in the nave of the Church of St. Chad in Wilne (Derbyshire), UK. In the medieval period, likely the late eleventh or twelfth century, it was recut from a shaft of a late eighth- or early ninth-century Anglo-Saxon standing cross bearing animal and figural ornament. The triumphal message of the crosses in the landscape was appropriated for the Christian victory over death at baptism. A fire in the early twentieth century destroyed the interior of the church and damaged a third of the font's ornament, though both have been faithfully restored. For more information on visiting the church, see the Wilne parish website at http://derbyshirechurches.org/church/wilne-st-chad.