We are delighted that you are considering baptism at St George's Cathedral. We hope that these notes will assist you and your chosen godparents to prepare for this important occasion and make it more meaningful for you.

A Baptism Application Form and information for parents and godparents may be downloaded here (pdf format) and are also available from the Cathedral Office. Before sending in an Application Form, please check availability of your desired date with the Canon Pastor, Theresa Harvey, by contacting the Cathedral Office on (08) 9325 5766:
Baptism Application form
Baptism: The First Step
Baptism: It's Good to Be a Godparent

Before the service

The baptism will take place after the main service of the day, which begins at 10.00am and usually finishes at around 11.15am. While we understand that it is sometimes difficult to organise everyone early in the morning, we do hope that the parents and godparents/sponsors will make every effort to come to this service.

Baptism families bringing small children to the 10.00am service may find it helpful to sit in the South Transept where there is easy access to the outside and to toilets and where children have space to play on the carpet. Please ask a steward on duty if you would like to know where to go and if you would find a children’s bag helpful for those in your care.

We make bookings for baptism for 11.30am and 12.00 noon, and we will not begin until that time, so there is an opportunity for a coffee, to make the one to be baptised even more beautiful, and to gather the guests together if some have attended the 10.00am service.

Parking

For Sunday services at the Cathedral, parking is available in the underground car park next to the Playhouse Theatre on Pier Street. This will close at noon or after the second baptism. Parking is also available on the corner of Pier and Hay Streets, along Hay Street near the Fire Station, and opposite the Cathedral behind Perth City Council offices.

The baptism

The baptism is an informal service, with everyone gathered around the font, which is near the main doors to the Cathedral. We ask the parents and godparents to stand together. You will be given an order of service and guidance as to what to say and when.

One of the symbols used in baptism is a lighted candle, representing the new light of Christ that has come to the newly baptised. The Cathedral provides a plain candle, but it is possible for you to bring your own if you wish, or to buy a more attractive one from the Cathedral Shop, which also sells Baptism gifts and gowns, made to order only.

We hope that you will keep the candle and light it on the anniversary of the baptism, as a reminder of the ceremony.

Photography

We understand that you may like to have some photos or a video taken of the occasion. We would like you to nominate just one person to take photographs or video.

The use of flash is not permitted during a service, but you may take as many posed or spontaneous photos as you like afterwards.

Costs

There is no fee for baptism. It is a privilege for us to be able to offer this sacrament. If you wish, however, to make a donation, you may put it in the offering plate that is circulated during the service or give it to the priest who takes your baptism service.

Certificates

You will receive a certificate of baptism as an official record, and godparents will also be given a card reminding them of the date and the responsibilities they have undertaken on the child's behalf. In order to provide these, we will need you to fill out full details on the Baptism Application Form, which can be downloaded here:
Baptism Application Form

Alternatively, we can send out the form on request by post when you make your booking. Please make sure you complete and return this form to us.

From now onwards

The Cathedral congregation is a welcoming group of people, and we hope that you will want to see us again! After all, baptism isn't just a ceremony for one day, but the beginning of a relationship. We would like to stay in touch.

We will invite you to the annual services, especially for children on 23 December and usually on the Saturday before Easter Day. These services are particularly child friendly and many adults enjoy them too. We have provision for children during the main Sunday service at 10.00am inside the Cathedral's South Transept.

Our love and prayers as you prepare for this happy occasion.