A Skelmanthorpe pupil has followed in the footsteps of her Saxon ancestors after being baptised in an ancient font.
Six-year-old Amelia Rose Johnson was christened at St Aidan’s Church in a font originally sculptured for High Hoyland church – the building where her grandmother now lives.
The font, which dates back to 1080, was thrown out of High Hoyland church during the 18th century and used as a cattle trough for many years.
It was then reclaimed by St Aidan’s when the church was built in 1895 and has remained in use ever since.
Amelia’s grandmother Alison Johnson, who bought High Hoyland church 12 years ago, said: “Amelia lives with her dad Joe here at High Hoyland for part of the week, which is where the font originates from.
“Many of our ancestors are buried here so would have been baptised in that font, so it was very fitting that it was used for her baptism too.
“It was a special day for Amelia. Her parents Kirsty and Joe had waited until Amelia was old enough to decide whether to be baptised for herself.
“It was special because she is old enough to understand and remember it.”
Amelia was baptised by Rev Philip Reynolds and invited some of her school friends from St Aidan’s Church of England School, Skelmanthorpe.
The family then enjoyed a celebration at High Hoyland church, the font’s original birthplace.
