Standing just inside the doorway immediately to your right you will see a beautiful stone baptismal font. The baptismal font is the “womb of the Church.” It is here at the font th
at one is re-born through water and the Holy Spirit. This explains our Lord’s teaching “Truly, truly, I say to thee, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” The location of the baptismal font at the front entrance, (the West end) signifies the new Christian letting go of the world and embracing the way of Christ.
The Sacrament of Baptism is our entrance into God’s holy Church. It is the foundation for the whole Christian life; a foundation that gives access to the other sacraments. Through Holy Baptism we are freed from the guilt of Original sin and reborn as sons and daughters of God; we become members of the Mystical Body of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her divine mission.
The carved sea shell on the font recalls the ancient exodus of the people of God through the Red Sea and the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan.
The stained glass window over the font carries images of triumph and blessing. The center is a lamb representing Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God who is victorious over evil and death. The Christian flag indicates that through baptism man shares in this divine victory over evil and eternal death. The deep red surrounding the lamb indicates the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
To the right of the baptismal font inset in the wall is a white stone. This stone was a gift to St. John’s from His Holiness, Archbishop Athanagoris of the Eastern Orthodox Church. It came from the Orthodox Monastery built on the Isle of Patmos, where Saint John’s was exiled.
The Greek reads: “Holy Monastery, Study of Theology in Patmos.”
On this same wall is the framed Certificate of Consecration. This current edifice was consecrated by the Right Reverend C. Avery Mason, Bishop of Dallas, May 20, 1962.
In the corner of the Baptistry is a brass candle stand holding the Paschal Candle. This candle is a symbol of Jesus Christ, who is our Paschal Lamb. At the Great Vigil of Easter this candle is processed slowly down the darkened Nave as the celebrant chants three times “the Light of Christ.”
