Oxford No. 7 / Oxeneford

On-site notes: octagonal baptismal font probably dated to the building of the Oratory ca. 1871, in the late-Decorated or early-Perpendicular style of the 14th century as seen on the baptismal fonts at Hitchin (Herts.) or Northampton (Nhants.): octagonal and monolithic, the basin creating overhanging canopies decorated with crocketed arches under which, on the stem, are housed standing figures. Flat wooden cover, also octagonal. [NB: a brief church guide available inside the Oratory [cf. BSI print archive] informs: the Holy-Water stoup before the middle column [...] was given by the Paravicini family in memory of Fr Gerald Manley Hopkins, who was curate here for a year"].