Durweston

The revised Hutchins (1973 c1861-1874) reports: "The font has an ancient octagonal bowl lined recently with white and grey marble, on which is cut 'Anno Domini 1847' (the time of the restoration of the church,), and 'Suffe the little chiildren to come unto me, and forbid them not.' A portion of the ancient base has also been preserved." Long (1923) notes the Durweston font: "where the base is Norman and the bowl is Decorated." Mee (1939) notes simply "an ancient font". In Newman & Pevsner (1972): "Font. The base slab for five supports is C12 or C13." The Durweston web site [www.durweston.org.uk] informs: The square base is in Purbeck marble and is probably the oldest material in the church. It is considered to be of 12th century origin. It is still used today for all baptisms in St. Nicholas." [NB: this same source notes that St. Eligius, patron saint of farriers is represented by a medieval statue and that the dedication is a double one: St. Nicholas and St. Eligius]