You can read more about our font at: www.stonedintonhartwell.com/our-churches/st-john-the-baptist-stone/sjb-font/
Our Font
This 12th century font is originally from St Mary’s church at Hampstead Norreys.In the 18th century the parishioners there so misunderstood and disliked its carvings that they had tried, unsuccessfully, to obliterate them with a thick coat of plaster.Finally in 1767 the font was altogether discarded from the church and dumped in the churchyard - later to be used first as a drinking trough and finally as a garden ornament.Happily, after 80 years it was discovered by a Fellow of the Society of Antiquities through whom it was finally presented to the church of Stone to replace an equally ancient font which had suffered a totally destructive fate.Thankfully now the battered old font from the church of Hampstead Norreys which was lovingly restored and set up in its new home at Stone is a much loved and photographed part of the fabric.