Davington

Willemont (1862) notes that on a visit to this church ca. 1845, "neither font nor communion-table remained", but adds on a footnote: "These were afterwards supplied" [NB: Willemont (ibid.) includes an appendix with a "list of subscribers to the new font and communion table", and includes the amount paid for the new font "To Mr. John Thomas, London, for the stone font… [£]17 [s.]8 [d.]0 " in 1847. Willemont (1862) describes the new font: "The font, which is of Caen stone, is circular: on the bowl is sculptured in high relief the Cross, and the emblems of the four Evangelists. Round the verge is the same inscription as on the Table [i.e., ST. MARY MAGDALENE, DAVINGTON. HUMBLY OFFERED BY KATHERINE WILLEMENT. MARCH XXV, A.D. MDCCCXLIX". Glynne (1877) notes a new font in the lower part of the tower, which serves as baptistery. A modern font is illustrated in the Kent Archaeological Society website [www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Libr/VisRec/D/DAV/15.htm] [accessed 10 February 2010]. The round basin has full-figure angels and other motifs around the sides, which are sandwiched between two pronounced roll mouldings; plain circular stem, round-to-square lowewr base with foliage spurs at 90-degree angles, in the traditional design of many Norman font bases; on a sqaure plinth; all of it modern, as is the round and flat wooden cover with metal decoration and ring handle. [NB: the church was originally part of a medieval Benedictine priory founded in the mid-12th century, but we have no information on its earlier font].