Statue of St. John the Baptist/Baptismal Font

The baptistry at St. Peter Church is octagonal in shape.  The number eight was significant for early Christians.  It symbolized the eighth day, that day on which Christ rose from the tomb.  The seven days of the week were considered symbolic of the world's time, while the eighth day represented everlasting life.  In the Roman culture of the early Church the octagon was also a common shape for tombs.  Rather than creating a contradiction in symbols, this highlights the two fundamental aspects of baptism, namely, the dying and rising of the baptized person with Christ.