Berge

Noted in Mithoff (1871-1880) and in Ligtenberg (1915). In Drake (2002) as a baptismal font of Bentheim sandstone that leads the group "Berge. a. Type I", made up of the fonts from Ankum 1, Arle, Berge, Borghorst, Emlichheim, Emstek, Gescher, Haselüne, Hattem, Jellum, Lastrup, Metelen, Münster Museum, Norg 1, Ochtelbur, Ramsdorf, Recke, Toornwerd, Vries amd Zweelo. Noted and illustrated in the Köster Genealogy [http://our-kin.com/Koster/History/StServatiusKirche.htm] [accessed 4 February 2016] the text from the German original in the church booklet: "The oldest piece of equipment of the church is the baptismal font of the Bentheimer type, today placed in the middle nave area. These baptismal fonts were produced in Bentheim and Gildenhaus from the sandstone that occurs there and about 100 examples remain in northwest Germany and the Netherlands. One can date them in the late Roman[esque] time (shortly after 1200). The baptismal font at Berge has special meaning because of the still partially recognizable colored style. The basin [...] rests on four crouching figures of men that are tied together in a ring. They could represent the unredeemed people, while the figure vessel that crushes them can symbolize the life outside of the grace of Baptism. In the lower region are recognizable palm motifs, which a grapevine which circles around the basin, alternately one recognized leaves and grapes. The rope ornament pictures again the upper end." There is no font cover present, but the font has a large metal baptismal dish on it used for baptisms.