The Baptistry
The Baptistry is at the west end of the south aisle beneath the 14th century tower and contains a total immersion font built as a memorial to Archbishop Benson, who died in 1896. It was designed for those who desired total immersion as a form of baptism and is one of only three known in the Church of England - the others being at Hastings and Torquay. The twin flights of seven marble steps leading to the water represent the seven deadly sins and the Greek mnemonic on the wrought iron screen translates roughly as 'Wash your sins, not only your face'. It was last used in the late 1960's when, because of a long period of disuse, the local Fire brigade had to assist with filling the font and also draining it after the ceremony.
Today the Baptistry is used for a permanent Lambeth Local History exhibition, opened by Kate Hoey MP in April 2006.
The memorial to Archbishop Secker, died 1768, may be seen at the corner of the Baptistry. He is buried between the church and Lambeth Palace, outside the church at his own request. The Baptistry also contains the inscribed ledger stone from the 1773 restoration of the Tradescant's tomb (above right).
The Baptistry windows were designed by Francis Stephens in the 1950s to replace stained-glass damaged by bombs in World War II.