CAtegory Test
Which size portable baptistry do you need?
LengthModelsGood for 5'8"Fiberglass box with stepsSmaller spaces and smaller candidates 70" (5'10")Small frame modelMost adults, at the lowest price 6'4"Standard frame, cabinet and deluxe modelsMost churches; the standard size 7'3"Extra-long frame and deluxe modelsTaller and larger candidates 7'11"Dry minister XL and large cabinet modelsThe largest candidates; the pastor can stay dry 9.5'Full-size stand-aloneChurches with many baptisms that still need a portable unit
7'11" dry minister XL: the pastor stays dry
9.5' full-size stand-alone
Not sure which to choose? Call us at 800-942-7327 and we'll recommend a size and package for your space.
How to heat a portable baptistry
120V immersion heater with GFCI, $598
Removable heater with pump: heats and drains
OptionHeating timeNotes Fill with warm waterNo waitRun a hose from your building's water heater. Lowest cost. 120V immersion heaterAbout 6–9 hoursPlugs into a standard outlet; heats about 15 gallons per hour. Start it the night before. 240V immersion heaterAbout 2 hours or lessHeats about 60 gallons per hour with a 40° rise. Needs a 240V outlet. Built-in or removable circulation heaterVaries by modelIncluded in Deluxe packages. The removable heater's pump can also drain the unit.
Always use a GFCI-protected outlet. Mount an immersion heater on a 2x4 laid across the top of the unit, and unplug and remove it before anyone enters the water. See all baptistry heaters.
Setting up for baptism Sunday
- Position the unit first. A filled baptistry weighs about 1,000–1,500 pounds and can't be moved, so set it in place while it is empty (about 250 pounds).
- Fill with a garden hose. Run it from an outdoor spigot, a water heater connection or an indoor faucet with an adapter. Drape the hose over the side, or connect it to the drain if your model has one. Stay with the unit while it fills; filling through the drain makes an overflow easy to miss.
- Heat the water. Use one of the heating options above, and plan the start time around your heater.
- Remove the heater and secure the area. Unplug the heater before the service, and make sure small children can't climb in or fall in.
Moving your baptistry
Most units move easily on furniture dollies when empty; remove the dollies before you fill. If you move the baptistry often, choose a FUN model with the heavy-duty metal wheel kit, which has locking wheels and can move a filled unit. Some large cabinet models include wheels.
The large cabinet model comes with wheels included.
After the service: draining and care
- Drain after each use. Use a siphon or a small pump, or drain by gravity through the drain fitting if the outlet is downhill.
- Don't leave water standing. Bacteria grow quickly in standing water, pool chemicals can damage the finish, and long-term standing water can cause fiberglass blistering.
- Clean with fiberglass-safe products. Avoid harsh detergents, acids and cleaning powders. See our baptistry care and use guide.
Finishing the outside of your baptistry
Frame-only models can be used as-is or finished to match your sanctuary:
Customer project: a standard wood frame model finished in synthetic stone, with custom steps.
- Table skirting with sewn-in Velcro attaches to Velcro strips on the unit and comes off easily for cleaning or transport.
- Custom cabinets built from furniture-grade plywood attach to the factory 2x4 frame on some models.
- Panels, banners, drywall or stone veneer give a permanent look. One customer covered their unit in synthetic stone with matching custom steps.
Prefer a finished look out of the box? Choose a wood cabinet model with an accessory top, which can serve as a communion table between baptisms. Add steps, handrails and covers to complete your setup.
Ordering and delivery
- Click a baptistry above to open its order page.
- Choose your color and options.
- Select your shipping zone. Freight cost appears at the bottom of the order page.
- Place your order. You'll receive an order confirmation email, then a shipping notice.
- The freight company will call you to schedule delivery.
Frequently asked questions
What is a portable baptistry?
A portable baptistry is a freestanding fiberglass baptism pool that sits on the floor and needs no plumbing. You fill it with a hose, warm it with a plug-in heater and drain it after the service.
How much does a portable baptistry cost?
Portable baptistries start at about $1,375 for a small frame model. Cabinet models cost about $2,638 to $5,675, deluxe packages with a heater cost about $3,780 to $3,917, and the full-size 9.5' unit is about $8,453. Freight shipping is extra. See our full guide: How much does a church baptistry cost?
Should we buy a portable or a permanent baptistry?
Choose portable if you rent your space, meet in a temporary location or baptize a few times a year. Choose permanent if you own your building and baptize often. Read more: Portable vs. permanent baptistry.
How much water does a portable baptistry hold?
About 100 to 150 gallons. A filled unit weighs about 1,000 to 1,500 pounds.
How long does it take to heat a portable baptistry?
About 2 hours or less with a 240V heater, or about 6–9 hours with a 120V heater. Filling with warm water from your building's water heater cuts the wait.
Can we leave water in a portable baptistry between Sundays?
It is possible occasionally, but we don't recommend it. Standing water grows bacteria quickly and can damage the fiberglass finish over time. Drain after each use.
We set up and tear down every week. Which model is best?
Choose a frame-only model. It is the lightest option and has no outer cabinet to damage in transit. Pair it with an immersion heater or a portable heater with a pump, and drain it by hose after each service.
Do you ship portable baptistries to Canada?
We don't ship directly to Canada, but we can ship to a freight terminal in a U.S. border state for pickup. You'll need to track the shipment, inspect it for damage at the terminal and pick it up within 3 days to avoid storage fees of $50 or more per day. Warranty coverage and repair materials are not available outside the U.S., and we provide the sales order but no customs paperwork.
Need help choosing?
Call 800-942-7327 and we'll recommend the right portable baptistry, heater and accessories for your church. Looking for a built-in pool instead? Browse single entry, double entry and dry minister baptistries.
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Which size portable baptistry do you need?
| Length | Models | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 5'8" | Fiberglass box with steps | Smaller spaces and smaller candidates |
| 70" (5'10") | Small frame model | Most adults, at the lowest price |
| 6'4" | Standard frame, cabinet and deluxe models | Most churches; the standard size |
| 7'3" | Extra-long frame and deluxe models | Taller and larger candidates |
| 7'11" | Dry minister XL and large cabinet models | The largest candidates; the pastor can stay dry |
| 9.5' | Full-size stand-alone | Churches with many baptisms that still need a portable unit |
Not sure which to choose? Call us at 800-942-7327 and we'll recommend a size and package for your space.
How to heat a portable baptistry
| Option | Heating time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fill with warm water | No wait | Run a hose from your building's water heater. Lowest cost. |
| 120V immersion heater | About 6?9 hours | Plugs into a standard outlet; heats about 15 gallons per hour. Start it the night before. |
| 240V immersion heater | About 2 hours or less | Heats about 60 gallons per hour with a 40? rise. Needs a 240V outlet. |
| Built-in or removable circulation heater | Varies by model | Included in Deluxe packages. The removable heater's pump can also drain the unit. |
Always use a GFCI-protected outlet. Mount an immersion heater on a 2x4 laid across the top of the unit, and unplug and remove it before anyone enters the water. See all baptistry heaters.
Setting up for baptism Sunday
- Position the unit first. A filled baptistry weighs about 1,000?1,500 pounds and can't be moved, so set it in place while it is empty (about 250 pounds).
- Fill with a garden hose. Run it from an outdoor spigot, a water heater connection or an indoor faucet with an adapter. Drape the hose over the side, or connect it to the drain if your model has one. Stay with the unit while it fills; filling through the drain makes an overflow easy to miss.
- Heat the water. Use one of the heating options above, and plan the start time around your heater.
- Remove the heater and secure the area. Unplug the heater before the service, and make sure small children can't climb in or fall in.
Moving your baptistry
Most units move easily on furniture dollies when empty; remove the dollies before you fill. If you move the baptistry often, choose a FUN model with the heavy-duty metal wheel kit, which has locking wheels and can move a filled unit. Some large cabinet models include wheels.
After the service: draining and care
- Drain after each use. Use a siphon or a small pump, or drain by gravity through the drain fitting if the outlet is downhill.
- Don't leave water standing. Bacteria grow quickly in standing water, pool chemicals can damage the finish, and long-term standing water can cause fiberglass blistering.
- Clean with fiberglass-safe products. Avoid harsh detergents, acids and cleaning powders. See our baptistry care and use guide.
Finishing the outside of your baptistry
Frame-only models can be used as-is or finished to match your sanctuary:
- Table skirting with sewn-in Velcro attaches to Velcro strips on the unit and comes off easily for cleaning or transport.
- Custom cabinets built from furniture-grade plywood attach to the factory 2x4 frame on some models.
- Panels, banners, drywall or stone veneer give a permanent look. One customer covered their unit in synthetic stone with matching custom steps.
Prefer a finished look out of the box? Choose a wood cabinet model with an accessory top, which can serve as a communion table between baptisms. Add steps, handrails and covers to complete your setup.
Ordering and delivery
- Click a baptistry above to open its order page.
- Choose your color and options.
- Select your shipping zone. Freight cost appears at the bottom of the order page.
- Place your order. You'll receive an order confirmation email, then a shipping notice.
- The freight company will call you to schedule delivery.
Frequently asked questions
What is a portable baptistry?
A portable baptistry is a freestanding fiberglass baptism pool that sits on the floor and needs no plumbing. You fill it with a hose, warm it with a plug-in heater and drain it after the service.
How much does a portable baptistry cost?
Portable baptistries start at about $1,375 for a small frame model. Cabinet models cost about $2,638 to $5,675, deluxe packages with a heater cost about $3,780 to $3,917, and the full-size 9.5' unit is about $8,453. Freight shipping is extra. See our full guide: How much does a church baptistry cost?
Should we buy a portable or a permanent baptistry?
Choose portable if you rent your space, meet in a temporary location or baptize a few times a year. Choose permanent if you own your building and baptize often. Read more: Portable vs. permanent baptistry.
How much water does a portable baptistry hold?
About 100 to 150 gallons. A filled unit weighs about 1,000 to 1,500 pounds.
How long does it take to heat a portable baptistry?
About 2 hours or less with a 240V heater, or about 6?9 hours with a 120V heater. Filling with warm water from your building's water heater cuts the wait.
Can we leave water in a portable baptistry between Sundays?
It is possible occasionally, but we don't recommend it. Standing water grows bacteria quickly and can damage the fiberglass finish over time. Drain after each use.
We set up and tear down every week. Which model is best?
Choose a frame-only model. It is the lightest option and has no outer cabinet to damage in transit. Pair it with an immersion heater or a portable heater with a pump, and drain it by hose after each service.
Do you ship portable baptistries to Canada?
We don't ship directly to Canada, but we can ship to a freight terminal in a U.S. border state for pickup. You'll need to track the shipment, inspect it for damage at the terminal and pick it up within 3 days to avoid storage fees of $50 or more per day. Warranty coverage and repair materials are not available outside the U.S., and we provide the sales order but no customs paperwork.
Need help choosing?
Call 800-942-7327 and we'll recommend the right portable baptistry, heater and accessories for your church. Looking for a built-in pool instead? Browse single entry, double entry and dry minister baptistries.