Villagers Use Ancient "Holy Well" for Baptism, Reverting to Christian Tradition before Local Church was Built

by Teresa Neumann : Oct 16, 2007 : BBC Staff-BBC News

The atmosphere was "electric."

(United Kingdom)—Because their local church was closed for renovations, Simon and Sara Closs-Stacey chose to have their baby boy baptized using water from an ancient well instead. As reported in the BBC News, it is the revival of a tradition that was practiced before the Gwynedd village church, (called St. Peris) was built in the 1500's.

Now located in a villager's garden, the baby's mother said the return to the village tradition made the atmosphere at the baptism, "electric." (Photo: BBC News)

The baptism was performed by Rev. Robert Townsend who "scooped water from the well in a small shell" and poured it over the infant's head as he was held by his father.