Church and Baptistry of the Mission San Fernando Rey de España
Vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley
from Gary Fredburg 2015
Among the earliest communities of Christians, (Romans, Greeks, Syrians etc.) those just learning about the religion (catechumens) were excluded from witnessing the sacrament of the Eucharist until they were baptized. Separate buildings or chambers were designated as "baptistries". (One of the most famous of these is the Baptistry of the Cathedral of Florence - a copy of its doors is in the museum at Forest Lawn in Glendale.)
Looking between the two tall palms in this vintage postcard, we can see a pathway leading to the Baptistry of the Mission San Fernando Rey, a separate building from the historic church. Native Americans and others who had not been baptized were given instruction here and baptized into the Christian religion.
comments by Jerry Fecht
The Museum of the San Fernando Valley
18860 Nordhoff St., Suite 204
Northridge, CA 91324-3885
Telephone: 818-347-9665
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