A fiberglass baptistry is a unique glass fixture that adds a great deal of beauty to your church, as well as making the right of baptism look more pleasing to the eyes. Like most glass items, the need to keep it clear and sparkling is the biggest challenge along with ensuring that it does not get broken. Here are a few pointers on how you can care for you fiberglass baptistry.
* Put the baptistry away from falling object and debris. Though you may be extra careful when moving things, there are certain instances wherein unfortunate accidents might happen and things might fall and crack your fiberglass.
* After using the baptistry, you have to make sure to pour and wipe the entire thing thoroughly. One of the hardest things you can remove and will surely ruin your glass is water stains. So make sure that everything is dry and use lint free cloths to make it cleaner.
* If you unfortunately left your fiberglass baptistry filled with water for more than 24 hours, it would be best to add algaecide to remove anything that might cause the unwanted growth of algae. Let it stay for a few minutes and empty the entire bowl. After that, wipe the bowl clean and remember to wipe it completely dry to avoid water stains.
* If you want to prolong the life of your fiberglass baptistry, it is best that you take the time to thoroughly clean it once every six months. Wash the glass well; there is no need to use strong detergents and chemical cleaners since these may ruin the finish of the baptistry as well as void the warranty of most fiberglass baptistries. So, be careful with the cleaning agents that you use. Once you have cleaned and dried it, you can do the waxing which is to be done no more frequently than once every six months.
The beauty and the life of your fiberglass baptistry depend on your ability to clean and properly maintain it. Baptisms are considered a memorable event in most lives, and you can help keep the memory alive by taking care of your fiberglass baptistry.
There are several companies that make fiberglass baptistry in the US. One of these companies is Superior Fiberglass, Inc.
Here's one site where you can find a fiberglass baptistry: http://www.superiorchurch.com/Baptistery.html
A quick scan shows baptistries from 1/2" to 2" thickness.
www.piedmontfiberglass.com or www.superiorchurch.com or www.FiberglassSpecialties.com. Or, in a hurry-- a feed store horse trough works well for adult baptism.
A nice baptistry is the center of modern church architecture. Unfortunately, as is the case with many fixtures in a house of worship, the congregation ends up paying a great deal for even the smallest marble, wood or concrete baptismal font and surrounding area work. An easily installed fiberglass baptistry allows for multiple configurations and entry way plans at a substantially lower cost. Learning how to find the best baptistry deals online should be completely easy, now that you’ve found these insider tips on how fiberglass baptistries are made and work for you. A baptistry that makes an impression doesn’t have to stand out from your church or worship center’s current interior scheme. Fiberglass fabrication allows you to choose from any number of excellent, durable finishes that won’t fade or wear from normal use. The other advantage of this time-tested construction material is that it can be molded to fit any virtually any shape, design or space without losing strength. This allows for a variety of special features that help communities get the greatest functional use out of their baptistries. Fiberglass baptistries come with heaters so that the water is not uncomfortable, and they readily cater to high numbers of parishioners with multiple entry ramps or staircases. When combined with optional partitions that leave dry areas for the officiating priests, heated church baptistry pools can handle any volume of services. Safety features, like non slip steps and hand rails, help keep things moving along without any of the accidents that can ruin a joyous occasion. Miltary chaplains, priests with non-established churches and those in the midst of renovation all need baptistries as well. In these special cases, a freestanding fiberglass baptistry is often the ideal solution. These consist of customizable external finishes around fiberglass frames that are small enough to be easily relocated, yet spacious enough allow for normal immersion with no problems. Your fiberglass baptistry is doubtless one of your most important investments in your church, so for more information, research some of these links.
Baptism is one of the most fundamental components of Christianity. In Baptism, water is used to represent new birth within the faith. At one time, baptism was often performed outside in a river, stream or pond. Today, it is more usually performed inside the church building. Although different denominations use different forms of baptism, baptism by immersion is a popular form. The baptistry is the pool in which baptism by immersion takes place. The baptistry can be constructed of almost any material, including steel and concrete. A popular choice for churches, however, is a fiberglass baptistry. Fiberglass presents many advantages to a church congregation. It is lightweight and easily maintained. Manufacturers of fiberglass baptistries offer them in several colors, usually white, off-white, blue or aqua, to complement church decor. Fiberglass baptistries come in various styles, sizes and shapes to suit various requirements. Depending on the specific configurations of the church, and the customs of the congregation, fiberglass baptistries can be single or double entry, providing steps on one or two sides. Handrails can be added at the steps for safety, as can non-slip features. A heater can also be added to bring the water to a comfortable temperature. The baptistry can be fitted with a seat for the baptismal candidate. Some fiberglass baptistries have built-in windows to allow the congregation better viewing of the ritual. There are even styles that allow the minister to remain dry during the rite, and thereby return immediately to the remainder of the church service. Installation of a permanent baptistry requires plumbing. There are, however, portable baptistries that do not require plumbing. They can be used indoors or outdoors, and often come with a moveable top that can be used as an altar or communion table. Whether a baptistry is permanent or portable, if it is to be used indoors, it is important to consider the weight of the filled tub when judging the structural strength required of the church floor.
Once a fiberglass baptistry has been selected and purchased, decorating the unit is the next step. Most fiberglass baptistry units placed in churches will look awkward as a stand-alone feature if intended to be a permanent fixture. Portable fiberglass baptistry units also may benefit from decorations while in use, but are much more affordable to decorate than permanent fixtures. Lets take a look at a few different ways to transform any fiberglass baptistry into something phenomenal. Permanent fiberglass baptistry units should be placed in an area that is against at least one wall. Some prefer to create a corner unit if using a small baptistry. Placing waterproof materials in front of and on the sides of the bapstistry will create a less awkward look and make the unit blend into its surroundings. Buying materials from home improvement stores may prove to be rather expensive. By placing ads in local newspapers or online, almost all churches will be able to collect bricks, cinderblocks or plastic sheets for inexpensive prices; sometimes those in the community are willing to donate them for free. Local contracting companies often may donate half the supplies and allow the rest to be purchased if the church will print a receipt for them to use as a tax write-off. Those who receive inexpensive building supplies may decide to spend a little extra money on a background. Often large screens to place in the background with a printed scene are affordable and found at screen printing stores or online auction sites. Sometimes finding inexpensive building supplies may not be feasible for everyone. If this is the case, a simple solution is to install a curtain track above the length of the baptistry, either along the ceiling or just below. Curtains will not only cover up the unit and create a sophisticated look but also will discourage small children from trying to play in the basin. Portable baptistries are also easily covered by a curtain but if storing them is preferred, they may be decorated by placing a hand-made skirt around the bottom of the unit and if desired, garlands or flowers may be attached for a more decorative look.
A baptistry is a designated space within a church where a baptismal font is located, and where the sacrament of Christian baptism by aspersion takes place.
Fiberglass is very durable and has an extremly long lifespan. It should last several decades depending on how well it is taken care of
If a dog ingests fiberglass, it can cause irritation and damage to the digestive tract. Ingesting large amounts of fiberglass can lead to serious health issues and potentially be fatal. It is important to seek veterinary care immediately if you suspect your dog has ingested fiberglass.
The Renaissance metalworker who designed the doors for the Baptistry was Lorenzo Ghiberti. He was also a well-known architect and forged the doors from bronze.
Lorenzo Ghiberti's