Chiddingly Church 

Return to Chiddingly Church home page   

The Piscina

This is at the far end of the southern side of the Chancel, built into the wall.

The NADFAS Guide says:Trefoil headed piscina with integral moulded shelf, shallow depression with drainage hole.

Wikipedia says "A piscina is a shallow basin placed near the altar of a church, or else in the vestry or sacristy,
used for washing the communion vessels.  The sacrarium is the drain itself. Anglicans usually refer to the basin,
calling it a piscina. Roman Catholics usually refer to the drain, and by extension, the basin, as the sacrarium.
They are often made of stone and fitted with a drain, and are in some cases used to dispose of materials used
in the sacraments and water from liturgical ablutions. They are found in Roman Catholic, Anglican
and Lutheran churches, and a similar vessel is used in Eastern Orthodox churches."