What is the purpose of the font in a Christian church?

A font holds the water which is used in baptisms. It comes from the Word 'fount' meaning 'source" or "spring". For Christians, baptism initiates a person into the community of believers in Christ; it means a new life. Traditionally, the font has been placed near the door of a church building for 2 reasons: (a) to signify that a person is entering the Church at baptism (b) for Christians to touch the water upon coming in for worship - it reminds them of their baptism. The practice mentioned in (b) has fallen away in Protestant churches.