Aughton nr. Omskirk / Acheton / Achetun / Acton / Aghton / Aighton / Auton / Hacton

There are two entries for this Aughton [variant spelling] in the Domesday survey [http://domesdaymap.co.uk/place/SD3905/aughton/] [accessed 14 July 2014], but neither mentions a church or cleric in it. Newstead (1893) records the building of Christ Church, the new church, with a new font in 1871, but he also documents notices related to the earlier font. One such is a 24 October 1579 contract of marriage between the parents of the betrothed, with scheduled payments to be made "at or upon ye ffonte at ye Parish Church of Aghton", in this case the font serving as counter on which to deliver the monies and sign the documents, besides providing the sacred frame for the transaction. This same source has an entry in the 1803's churchwardens accounts that records an expenditure on "A pulley for the font". Newstead (ibid.) records an 1826 article in 'The Liverpool Repository' which read: "There is an antique stone font, of an octangular form, embattled, sustained by a shaft composed of four circular pillars, attached on a circular base", to which Newstead adds: "It seemingly was discarded for many years, and lay as lumber in a corner of the church. It was, however, restored in 1886, the work being executed by Mr. Peter Wright, mason of Aughton, under the direction of Mr. J. M. Hay, architect, Liverpool […] The font (being an ancient disused one restored) formerly stood in the north aisle; the position being still indicated by the hook in the ceiling from which the cover was suspended." Ellis (1902) notes: "The mediaeval font at Aughton is still in use, and stands beneath the tower [...] The font is of fine-grained, light-coloured sandstone, and consists of a capacious octagonal bowl with plain faces, surmounted by a battlemented moulding. It has experienced rough usage, for scarely more than half of the battlements are intact. It is lead-lined and has a water drain. The supporting column consists of four semi-detached columns with plain caitals and square-shouldered plain bases. The base and plinth are modern. [...] This is an interesting example of fifteenth century workmanship." Listed in Cox & Harvey (1907) as a baptismal font of the Perpendicular period. The Victoria County History (Lancaster, vol. 3, 1907) reports: "The font, which stands under the tower, is of the fifteenth century, octagonal, with a moulded and embattled cornice to the bowl, which is 18 in. deep, the faces being each 10½ in. wide." Pollard & Pevsner (2006) report an octagonal font of the Decorated period and a cover of the 19th century. Hartwell & Pevsner (2009) mention only the 19th-century St. Saviour's [aka Christ Church]. Newstead (ibid.) describes also the new 19th-century font at Christ Church: "The font is placed at the west end of the south aisle. It is of Caen stone, with marble column supports, and is surrounded with sculptured panels representing Noah and the Ark, the Israelites crossing the Red Sea, Christ's baptism, and Christ blessing little children." The Parish website [http://www.smaughton.btinternet.co.uk/stmichael.pdf] [accessed 3 May 2010] notes: "The font, now under the tower […] dates from the 14th century, although it originally occupied a position in the north aisle […] moved to its present position in 1866. The carvings that would once have adorned it have been completely worned away, but you can see the hasp marks for a lock and cover".