Heirloom Christening Gowns
Mar 4th, 2004
on exhibit until April 16, 2004 at
St. Ignatius Archives & Museum
Monday - Friday 10 - 3 or by appointment
3704 Springhill Avenue
Mobile AL 36608
251-342-9716
Pstarkey10@aol.com
Imagine wearing the same dress for more than ninety years. Yes, wearing the same dress and the same under dress since the early 1900s.
It was 1913 when one of the Heirloom Christening Gowns, on exhibit in the Sacred Art Gallery of St. Ignatius Archives and Museum, was worn by its first recipient to be welcomed into the Catholic Faith. Designed and hand stitched by a loving family member, the gown was fashioned from the sheerest battiste and only the finest embroidery thread was used. Sporting an original embroidered design of white on white, the gown and under dress show little age and wear. The gown will again be used in 2004. Four generations of family members have worn this gown to be welcomed.
Other gowns and accessories in the exhibit range from some stitched not so very long ago to ones celebrating their 59th year. One handmade gown took its designer three years to complete. Then she decided to make a bonnet and a coordinating handstitched blanket to match. Another family has three gowns representing one gown for each child. Yet another family has a gown, measuring five feet in length with the initials of the baptized children embroidered on a band around the lengthy shirt. And of course, there is a matching bonnet that can only be worn by girls being christened. One family, having two gowns, one very long gown and one tiny petite gown were made by different designers. Each gown was selected for it's outstanding one-of-a-kind presence.
The Heirloom Christening Gown Exhibit lets you get a close look at some of the finest examples of heirloom techniques in southeastern states. The hand stitching and attention to details that create these priceless and irreplaceable treasures is astonishing. Over 2,000 hours of exquisite hand sewing is represented in this exhibit.
Baptism in the Church represents your initiation in the Catholic Faith. Your welcome to the Church. What better way for an infant to be welcomed into the Church than to wear an heirloom christening gown loving stitched by a family member or close friend?
All the gowns in the exhibit are on loan from the parishioners of St. Ignatius Church. The is exhibit is open to the public Monday - Friday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm or by appointment through April 16. Admission is $2.00. Proceeds from this exhibit go to maintaining the archives and funding future Sacred Art exhibits.
For additional information or to schedule a tour please call Patsy Davison Starkey at 251-342-9716 or Pstarkey10@aol.com
