THIS is the moment Bishop Christopher was sprinkled with water at a service to consecrate an eye-catching new font.

Bishop Christopher is sprinkled with water by 10-year-old Olivia Milne

Ten-year-old Olivia Milne took great delight in flicking the Anglican Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Rev Christopher Foster with water from the font after he had showered water on those gathered at St Cuthbert’s Church in Copnor, Portsmouth.

The movable font was donated in memory of Adam Smith, who sadly died from cancer in 2003, aged just 13. Adam was baptised at his home shortly before he died. 

It replaced the old font which was removed as part of a massive £4.5m reordering project to transform the original church building to include a community facility with a place of worship.

Among the first children to be baptised in the new font will be Bertie, the grandson of the vicar, Canon David Power, and his wife Jeanette. The couple will jointly baptise Bertie at a special service on Sunday (November 17) at 12.30pm.

To complement the new font and to define its position in the centre of the church, a striking mosaic floor was commissioned in memory of Les Minter, who died suddenly from a massive heart attack in 2009.

It is made from hundreds of tiny coloured ceramic tiles, some of which contain genuine 24-carat gold.

Canon David Power, vicar of St Cuthbert’s, said: “The congregation are so excited about the new mosaic and font at St Cuthbert's, designed and made by award-winning artist Mel Howse. 

“We are very grateful to the families of Adam Smith and Les Minter, in whose respective memories the font and mosaic have been given. 

“The font emphasises that baptism is both the point of entry into the Christian faith, and central to our life together as the people of God. 

“Locating the font in the centre of the church provides a forceful reminder that all the baptised have been commissioned to work together in God’s mission to God’s world.”

The font is one metre wide and the same in height, providing a large surface area of water when filled, reflecting the generosity of God.

“We intend that the font be permanently filled with water as a sign of the constant availability of God’s grace,” David said.

“Even though the place of worship at St. Cuthbert's is a large space, the scale of the font, together with the striking nature of the design, will make an immediate visual impact on all who enter what is otherwise a rather plain church. 

“It's also an important work of art in its own right, and we anticipate welcoming many people to St. Cuthbert's to see it." 

During the consecration service, the congregation renewed their baptism vows and commitment to share in God’s work in Copnor.