Baptistry Planned for the Basilica

In the 126-year history of our beautiful and historic church building, there has never been an area of the church itself dedicated to receiving the Sacrament of Baptism. As long-time parishioners know, the baptismal font has been moved to several locations over the years. As part of the redecorating project, For Such a Time as This, a permanent Baptistry will be created in the rear of the Nave.

The Baptistry usually refers to a dedicated area set aside for Baptisms with the Baptismal font central to it. The planned Baptistry will be located in the northeast corner of the Nave, that is the area to the left as one enters the church, where the confessionals are now. The design also incorporates new flooring and new lighting.

This is a particularly appropriate area of the church for the Baptistry to be located, as the stained glass window, Jesus Welcomes the Children, is there. This window was originally in the Saint Joseph’s Infirmary chapel on Courtland Street, and was a gift of the Sisters of Mercy prior to their move in 1978.

The mahogany confessionals, which date from 1908, will be reworked to provide a beautiful background for the area. The confessionals will also be restored and repurposed to create a cabinet or more properly, an ambry. The ambry will provide much-needed secure storage for the aspersorium, that is, the bucket for the holy water, the chrismaria for the oils, and also space for the salt, candles, linens, and anything else needed as part of the Sacrament of Baptism.

The historic ambry, located in the north wall of the Sanctuary, will be relocated and included in the new Baptistry area design.

The ornate Baptismal font which has been a part of Sacred Heart since 1901, will now for the first time have a permanent home in the Baptistry. The font was a gift of Mrs. William J. Burns of Pittsburgh a benefactor of Sacred Heart. Note the plaque on the font, which states that it is a gift to Sacred Heart’s first Pastor, Father John Gunn, later the Bishop of Natchez, MS

The font was a gift of Mrs. William J. Burns of Pittsburgh, a benefactor of Sacred Heart. Note the plaque on the font, which states that it was a gift to Sacred Heart’s first Pastor, Father John Gunn, later the Bishop of Natchez, MS.

The new Baptistry, together with the Adoration Chapel that is being designed to occupy the room on the right side of the Sanctuary, are two additional benefits that will result from the redecoration project. We expect them to enhance the worship experience for the Basilica’s parishioners, families, guests, and visitors for many years to come.

Our goal is to create a welcoming environment that supports the various liturgies that occur within it, is balanced and appropriate for a Basilica, follows current liturgical guidelines, and respects the history of Sacred Heart.