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Ecclesiastical Case Reports
Re Christ Church, Cockfosters
(London Consistory Court: Cameron Ch, December 1999)
Repositioning of painting – replacement of font
Two faculties were sought and granted. The first was to authorise the repositioning of a painting of Jesus Christ from the reredos to elsewhere in the church and the repositioning of an existing cross to take its place. The second was to authorise the removal and disposal of the existing font and the introduction of a new portable font. Both petitions attracted a substantial number of objections but in both cases the views of the congregation and those on the electoral roll were sought. The overwhelming majority supported the petitions. When referring to the first petition the chancellor emphasised that she was not just to look at the issue of numbers for and against the proposal but also at the crucial issue of how the body of worshippers could be drawn together again. The painting was disliked by many but loved by others. The faculty in respect of the repositioning was granted because it was right for the cross to take its place at the centre of the worship of that church. Those who were attached to the picture could see it in the chapel to which it would be removed.
The font had only been used for occasional private baptisms over the last twenty-five years. The vast majority of baptisms during that period had been conducted using a portable font at the chancel steps. Removal of the existing font had been considered by the PCC since 1992 but once again there were those who were sentimentally attached to it. Citing Nickalls v Briscoe [1892] P 269 the chancellor stated that sentiment could not be the determining factor in cases of this sort and that the prospect of the font coming back into regular use was so remote that it ought not to be retained. After taking photographs of the existing font which should be placed with the parish records, attempts should be made to donate it to another church. If these attempts failed the font was to be removed in pieces and buried in the churchyard.
[LY]
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