The Baptist Fountain is located in the middle of Redfern Park, in the inner city suburb of Redfern. In 1888, Charles O’Neil designed the formal landscape of Redfern Park which included an ornate fountain. It was funded by a prominent local resident and nurseryman, John Baptist, so the fountain was named the Baptist Fountain.
So no religious connection then? Or was Mr Baptist a baptist?
ReplyDeleteAn excellent photo of a beautiful fountain!
ReplyDeleteAndrew, there doesn't seem to be a religious connection but maybe Mr Baptist came from a family with a religious ancestry. John Baptist was a wealthy nurseryman which explains the connection with this park.
ReplyDeleteNice place! Lovely shot!
ReplyDeleteIrene
Interesting history and a superb capture of a beautiful fountain! Hope your week is going well, Jim!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
I could see this fountain in the distance the other day and was hoping you would do a post on it.
ReplyDeleteIt is a such a beautiful piece.
If your surname was Bapist and you had a son, you would have to call him John!
so glad you told us why it was named as such.
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Neat shot of the old fountain.
ReplyDeleteI doubt whether it was ever a "Baptismal fountain!"
ReplyDeleteLovely shot, Jim.
Redfern Park looks like an interesting and pretty place.
ReplyDeleteWonderful piece of history.
ReplyDeletePlease have a good Wednesday.
daily athens photo
Ha ha,,, I was about to be a bit peeved about the non separation of church and state :) It is a lovely fountain, and well placed in the gardens.
ReplyDeleteHave a great holiday season, Jim
Oh, and here I was, thinking it was built for very interesting baptisms.
ReplyDeleteWell, John Baptist is a very interesting name.
Your photos are always wonderful to see, Jim.
Wishing you all the best for the holiday season and throughout the coming year.
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
That is a nice fountain. I thought that it was going to be a baptistry but no.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful fountain in Redfern-O. I heard someone say they live in Redfern-O, because everytime he said where he lived people would say 'Oh'.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny, Peter. I wonder if they'll still be saying that in a few years as the Housos are being replaced by Yuppies in their flash flats. They've just opened a Woolies supermarket under a flash new block of apartments across the road from this park.
ReplyDeletehat is a beautiful fountain. Is it for religious perpourses?
ReplyDeleteMERRY CHRISTMAS
Riet
Great shot Jim and your images over the last few days show just how beautiful this park is to visit.
ReplyDeleteGreat fountain. Happy WW! :-)
ReplyDeleteRiet, there is no religious purpose for this fountain.
ReplyDeleteI like it Jim, not too ornate, but with lovely little touches.
ReplyDeleteThis is a leading Sydney blog.
ReplyDeleteJohn Baptist is the translation of his name to English. His actual name was Joao Baptista. Baptista is a traditional and Popular Portuguese surname.
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