Here at the entrance to the Cathedral people enter through their own baptism into the Christian community, being born again of water and the Holy Spirit. Here they begin a new relationship with God in the family of the Christian Church. The Font carved in Portland Stone and Spanglebed Purbeck by Simon Verity stands in a pool of water, and inscribed upon the rim of the bowl the words, "Once you were no people - now you are God's People "[1 Peter 2:10]. The sign of the fish carved in the bowl is an ancient symbol for Christ who saves us through his death and resurrection. Those entering the Cathedral take water from the stoops in the wall near the baptistery to remind themselves of their own baptism, and to renew their faith in Christ, and assemble again as the People of God. In the adjacent wall, the Holy Oils are enshrined.

• The Oil of Catechumens - used as a preparation for Baptism,

• The Oil of the Sick to bring healing forgiveness and strength to the sick, 

• The Oil of Chrism used at Confirmation and Ordination.