Restored Cathedral baptistry blessed and rededicated
By Josh Low
After several months of restoration, the baptistry at St Mary’s Cathedral was reopened, blessed and rededicated by Archbishop Julian on Sunday 17 November.
With a decorative timber floor installed, the newly restored space now features four inlaid symbols surrounding the historic baptismal font.
Archdiocesan Master of Ceremonies Michael McKenna, who took on the restoration project, explained that issues with the floor of the baptistry were discovered in April this year.
“The tiles in the baptistry were cracking, and the baptismal font itself appeared to be sinking into the floor at an alarming angle,” he said.
“On closer inspection it was discovered that the timber floor boards and structural floor system under the tiles had rotted away due to historically pooling ground water and was collapsing under the weight of the baptismal font.”
The baptismal font and stone plinth on which it was installed, weigh approximately 1200kg.
Over the following months, the baptistry floor was replaced, and extensive drainage works undertaken to address the water issues which caused the rotten floor and rising damp in the stone walls.
Mr McKenna added that as part of the Cathedral Centre development in 2011, a window was removed in the baptistry to establish walkway access to the Cathedral itself.
“The recent decision to install a decorative timber floor with inlaid symbols was directed to restoring both the heritage of the space but creating a visual break in the floor to help distinguish the baptistry from the thoroughfare and restore this lost dignity.
“In providing a beautiful restored baptistry chapel it is hoped to give pause to reflect on its true sacred purpose, and not simply its practical functional use as a route to morning tea and the toilets.”
Archbishop Julian said that it is in the baptistry where “the door is reopened to the life of the Spirit and the gateway to the Church is swung wide.”
“We pray that [all reborn from the font] will become true sons and daughters reflecting the Father’s goodness, disciples faithful to the teaching of their one Master, temples in whom the voice of the Spirit resounds, and witnesses to the Gospel, doers of the works of holiness,” Archbishop Julian said.
With the first baptism in the newly renovated baptistry taking place just a week after its blessing, Cathedral Administrator Fr Bernard Perera said it was great to be able to celebrate baptisms once again in the Cathedral.
“The four inlaid symbols are also very beautiful, and as people pass by, it is a great opportunity to provide some catechesis on their meaning and the relation to our faith,” he said.