VALPARAISO | The new baptismal font and paschal candle stand at Immanuel Lutheran Church have won an award honoring outstanding design in a Lutheran Church Missouri Synod church or school.

The new font includes a pool 12 feet long by 4 feet wide by 2 feet deep with descending and ascending steps used for immersive adult baptisms during Easter Vigil services.

Valparaiso University Associate Pastor James Wetzstein served as design consultant for the project.

Wetzstein, Immanuel Lutheran Senior Pastor Stephen Bongard and liturgical artist Richard Hunt accepted the award during the Lutheran Church Extension Fund's annual leadership conference Nov. 23 in Palm Springs, Calif.