The Norman Font

Neston Parish Church has a Norman Font dating from 1450. It is Octagonal in shape, made out of stone and has a quatrefoil pattern on its panels. This pattern is repeated on other furnishings in the church such as the dado wood panelling, the pulpit, the glass screens etc. The lower part of the shaft of the font is decorated with Gothic Niches with trefoil heads
Emma Lyon, a blacksmiths daughter, born in Ness was baptised in the font in 1765. She later became Lady Hamilton, mistress of Lord Nelson. The entry in the church registers states:
‘Emy, Dr. of Henry Lyon, Smith, of Ness, by Mary his wife. Bap 12th May 1765’
When the old church was dismantled in 1874 this font was put aside to make way for a more modern one. However, a few years later the original font was restored and reinstated in the church as a memorial to Canon Richard Gleadowe and is used to this day.