“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19
Like many things in recent years, the story of our new baptismal bowl begins during COVID. In 2021, the organ was moved from the chancel “well” to the chancel steps, crowding the baptismal font and making baptisms difficult to see. When the organ could not be set at a right angle, the font was returned to its original place beneath the baptismal window at the center of the sanctuary. Over time, however, that location proved impractical for baptisms after mid-century renovations.
To restore both visibility and meaning to the sacrament, we commissioned a movable glass baptismal bowl—designed to complement our stained glass and be clearly seen from the back of the sanctuary. Last spring, a small group visited WheatonArts (wheatonarts.org) Glass Studio in Millville, NJ to collaborate on the bowl’s size, color, and design. Recently, they returned to bring the finished piece home.
Our bowl was created by the studio team led by glass artist and studio manager Katey Murphy (a Havertown native!). Founded in 1968, WheatonArts is a nonprofit arts campus in South Jersey that includes the Museum of American Glass, the Down Jersey Folklife Center, museum stores, and working glass, pottery, and flameworking studios. The Glass Studio, modeled after the original 1880s Wheaton Glass Factory, is a public-access space for resident and visiting artists and an international residency program.
Working at temperatures between 2,100 and 2,200 degrees, a piece of this size requires several hours and a coordinated team of four to five artists. Patty Clune shaped the glass while Jeremy Hayes and Josh Metzger turned the pipe used to blow and form the bowl, alongside teammates Tiff Leps and Ish Rodriguez.
We are deeply grateful to the artists at WheatonArts Glass Studio for their craftsmanship and collaboration in creating a beautiful and meaningful vessel that will serve our congregation for years to come. Stop by the Lord’s Table after worship to see this beautiful piece of art!
Click the link here to watch an Instagram video of the team creating our bowl.
(Note: You do not need an Instagram account to view it—just close the pop-up window.)
In the video, Josh—wearing protective Kevlar gear—transfers the piece to a kiln, where it cools for 24 hours.
In the photos below, Patty shapes the glass while Jeremy and Josh turn the pipe used to blow the glass.
