Melbourne

Described in the City of Melbourne web site [www.melbourne.vic.gov.au]: "The 'old' Cathedral contains many features of historical interest. Of particular importance is the baptismal font. Made of white marble, the font once graced the altar of St. Katherine's Abbey that stood on the bank of the Thames just beyond the Tower of London. The Abbey was demolished in 1837 and, during the demolition, Queen Victoria, who had ascended the throne that year, had the baptismal font removed. Later she sent it to the Governor La Trobe who presented it to St James. It is thought to be over 800 years old. St James' Cathedral is classified by the National Trust as 'being of national importance to be preserved at all costs'". The brochure-guide of Old St. James [p. 3], however, differs in the dating of the original basin and in some other donation details: "Baptismal font.- The white marble bowl of the 17th century, came from St. Katherine's Abbey on the banks of the Thames. That building was demolished in 1837. Friends of Governor Latrobe acquired the font and it was necessary to have Queen Victoria's permission before it could be brought to Victoria. The fine canopy and pedestal were designed in Melbourne and presented by parishioners". [NB: cf. Index entry for West Tarring, Sussex, for a font claimed to have been sent to Melbourne Cathedral as well]. [cf. Index entries for Britford No. 2 and for two other English fonts that ended up in Australia]