Font is 12th century whodunnit
The font is a finely worked carving of Caen stone, probably of the mid-to-late twelfth century, and the oldest item in the church. Around the sides is an arcade of semi-circular arched compartments. The central panel (pictured here) depicts the Crucifixion, with Christ flanked by the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. John the Evangelist, who is wiping a tear from his eye.

There are nine other compartments, five of which contain scroll-arch foliage and the remainder four figures. It is not clear who these are meant to represent.

The figure depicted in the south-west panel is tonsured, beardless and holding what appears to be a key, and may therefore be St. Peter.

The figure to the south is believed to represent St. Paul, the other saint in the dedication of Coleshill church.

One panel contains a cleric, while another has a long haired female holding an ointment jar, and therefore is probably St. Mary Magdalene.

The images were concealed for many years.

Legend has it that during the Civil War the font was plastered over to conceal the precious stones which were once set into the Crucifixion scene, and to prevent the font's destruction.

To add to the mystery, a visitor to the church in 2006 wondered whether the holes for the stones were actually mounting holes for ironwork. But in that case, what was the ironwork for?

The panels were rediscovered in 1859 by the Reverend J.D. Wingfield-Digby, Vicar from 1848 to 1873.
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