How Much Does a Church Baptistry Cost?

The quick answer

A church baptistry costs about $1,375 to $8,500 for the unit itself. Portable baptistries start around $1,375, and most permanent fiberglass baptistries cost $2,000 to $7,600. Plan to add $535 to $2,800 for a heater plus accessories, freight, shipping and for a permanent baptistry installation.

Church baptistry prices by type

Portable (5'8" to 9.5' long): about $1,375–$8,450. Best for church plants, rented spaces and occasional baptisms.

Dry minister (7'11" to 14' wide): about $1,485–$3,550. Best for narrow spaces. The pastor stays out of the water.

Permanent, single entry (7.5' to 11' wide): about $2,270–$2,980. Best for most churches with one changing area.

Permanent, double entry (8' to 15' wide): about $2,350–$5,480. Best for a separate entry and exit, or separate changing rooms.

Semi-custom (modular sizes): about $3,200–$3,860. Best for churches that want a layout of their own.

Round (size varies by model): about $4,650–$5,150. Best for a decorative focal point.

Family or group (15' to 17' wide, or large group tanks): about $3,760–$7,625. Best for family baptisms or several people in the water.

Portable, from $1,375

Single entry, from $2,270

Double entry, from $2,350

Family or group, from $3,760

Sale prices shown. Some models are call for price at 800-942-7327.

What else to budget for

The baptistry is the largest single cost, but rarely the only one. Plan for these items too.

Heater: about $535 to $2,800

Immersion heater, 120V or 240V: about $535–$625. Best for portable and smaller baptistries, with no plumbing needed.

Circulation heater, 5.5kW or 11kW: about $570–$1,195. Best for permanent baptistries, since it heats larger pools more efficiently.

24/7 circulation heater: about $890. Best for churches that keep the water warm between services.

Gas water heater: about $2,790, or call for price. Best for large pools and frequent use.

A 120V immersion heater warms a portable baptistry in about 6–9 hours; a 240V heater takes about 2 hours. Check voltage and wiring with an electrician before you order. See all baptistry heaters.

Immersion heater, from about $535

Circulation heater, from about $570

24/7 circulation heater, about $890

Plumbing parts

Permanent baptistries need a drain, an overflow and a fill valve. A manual drain with overflow starts at about $275, wall spouts and suction fittings are about $45 each, and a deck-mounted faucet is about $145. See baptistry plumbing.

Accessories: about $160 to $1,050 each

• Steps for portable baptistries: about $350–$650
• Handrails: about $280–$750
• Catch landing (drip area at the exit): about $625
• Seat or step platform: about $995–$1,055
• Insulated cover: about $900; thermal blanket: about $157
• Communion panel for a portable cabinet: about $315

Wooden steps for portable baptistries

Hand railing

Seat or step platform

Insulated cover

See all baptistry accessories.

Freight shipping

Baptistries ship by freight and are not eligible for free shipping. The cost depends on your delivery zone and is calculated at checkout. Extra-large group pools need an oversize shipping quote.

Installation (permanent baptistries only)

A permanent baptistry needs sidewall framing, a level base raised at least 6 inches for drain access, plumbing for the fill, drain and overflow, and a GFCI-protected 120V or 240V circuit for the heater. The floor must carry at least 400 pounds per square foot, since a filled unit can weigh 3,000 to 12,000 pounds. Plan for a plumber, an electrician and carpentry, or a contractor who handles all three. See the installation guide.

Custom sizes

A baptistry built to your own dimensions needs a custom mold, which typically adds $5,000 to $7,000 to the baptistry price. Semi-custom models avoid that cost by letting you choose from modular layouts.

Sample budgets

These examples use listed prices before freight and installation.

Church plant in a rented space: about $2,600. A small frame-only portable baptistry ($1,375), a 120V immersion heater ($598) and matching steps ($640).

Portable with a built-in heater: about $3,780–$3,920. A deluxe portable package with a 120V circulation heater.

Permanent single entry: about $3,950–$4,660, plus installation. A single entry baptistry ($2,270–$2,980), an 11kW circulation heater ($779), a drain with overflow ($275) and a catch landing ($625).

Family baptistry: about $4,820, plus installation. A 17' double entry pool ($3,763), an 11kW circulation heater ($779) and a drain with overflow ($275).

What drives the price of a baptistry?

• Size. Longer and wider pools use more fiberglass and cost more to ship. A 17' family pool holds about 1,050 gallons.
• Entry type. Double and triple entry models cost more than single entry because of the extra steps.
• Shape. Round and family group pools are the highest-priced standard models.
• Finish. A premium gel coat or a colored finish such as bone adds cost. If you plan to keep water in the pool, the AquaGuard gel coat prevents blistering.
• Windows and options. Viewing windows, extra steps and seats add to the total.
• Cabinet and finishing. For portable models, a finished oak or birch cabinet costs more than a frame-only unit that you finish yourself.

Finish and options add cost: a 13' double entry baptistry in bone with premium gel coat.

How to save on a new baptistry

• Start with a frame-only portable model and finish it with skirting, panels or banners.
• Ask about factory seconds. Units with cosmetic flaws, such as an uneven stain, are sometimes offered at a lower price.
• Choose a standard or semi-custom model instead of a custom size to avoid a $5,000–$7,000 mold fee.
• Pick the right heater. A portable baptistry can be filled with warm water from the building's water heater, and an immersion heater costs less than a circulation system.
• Plan ahead for permanent installs. Adding a baptistry during a build or renovation is simpler than retrofitting plumbing and framing later. Some models have an 8–10 week lead time.

Frame-only models like this 7'3" wood frame unit cost less, and your church can finish them.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a portable baptistry cost?

Portable baptistries cost about $1,375 to $8,450. Frame-only models start around $1,375, cabinet models run about $2,600 to $5,700, and deluxe packages with a built-in heater cost about $3,780 to $3,920.

How much does a permanent baptistry cost?

Most permanent fiberglass baptistries cost about $2,270 to $5,480 for the unit. Round models run about $4,650 to $5,150, and family or group pools cost up to about $7,625. Installation is extra.

How much does a baptistry heater cost?

Immersion heaters cost about $535 to $625. Circulation heaters cost about $570 to $1,195, and gas water heaters run about $2,790.

Is shipping included in the price of a baptistry?

No. Baptistries ship by freight and are not eligible for free shipping. Freight cost depends on your delivery zone.

How much does a custom baptistry cost?

A custom-sized baptistry requires a new mold, which typically adds $5,000 to $7,000 to the price of the baptistry. Semi-custom models cost about $3,200 to $3,860 with no mold fee.

How long does it take to get a new baptistry?

Many baptistries have a 2–4 week lead time. Some dry minister and family models take 8–10 weeks.

What is the cheapest way to get a baptistry?

A small frame-only portable baptistry is the lowest-cost option, at about $1,375. It needs no plumbing, and you can fill it with warm water from your building's water heater.

Get a price for your church

ChurchProducts.com has served churches since 1979 and lists prices online for portable, permanent, dry minister and family baptistries. Browse portable baptistries or permanent baptistries, or call 800-942-7327 for a recommended package.