'It's tradition': 40 people have worn this same handmade baptismal dress since 1905
The Bible says in Galatians 3:27, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
For 38 members of the Knier family, and a couple of friends, they also put on the same baptismal dress ― which is now nearly 120 years old.
Bernadine "Bernie" Knier of Greendale has preserved not only the dress, but a record of who was baptized in it and when, including her own baptism, believed to be in June 1938.
The 40th person, family member Walter Matuszak, was baptized in July this year while wearing the white cotton gown, which has blue ribbon added for boys and pink for girls.
The first baptism on record in the gown was William Conrad, who was born July 4, 1905. His exact baptism date was not listed, but Knier, a Catholic, said it was likely a few weeks after his birth.
Baptism, as defined on Catholic.com, is "the sacrament of regeneration by water in the word."
What does baptism mean to Knier?
“To me, it means the world,” she said. “It was the way I was brought up.”
She said she’s worried about the “young kids who are coming up with no religious background, no matter what religion it is,” saying faith helps give a foundation for what is right and wrong.
Bernie’s daughter, Mary Howard, was baptized in the dress on Aug. 27, 1967.
Holding her grandson Colt Cramer, who was baptized in the dress in June at St. Mary in Hales Corners, Howard said the dress means a lot to the family.
“It’s tradition,” she said. “It’s a great family tradition.”
Colt’s mother, Kayla Cramer, was baptized in the dress in August 1995, according to the typed and handwritten record.
The dress was handmade and is still all original
The dress was handmade by Clara Schmitt in the early 20th century and since then has been used by five of her children, 17 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and even two friends of the family.
And it wasn’t even planned.
“It just started happening (when) Grandma Schmitt saved it; it’s quite the accomplishment,” Knier said, adding the family has no plans to retire its use. “I’m very happy they all were baptized in it.”
The dress is still all original with no alterations or repairs. It has ties on it allowing the size to be adjusted for each wearer. Knier insists that she be the one to wash the dress by hand after each use.
“Don’t wash it, I’ll take care of it,” she tells the family with a smile.
Once cleaned, the dress is stored away, wrapped in tissue paper and placed in an old cardboard box. It's now waiting for wearer number 41.
Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on Twitter @Redheadliner.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Forty people have worn this same handmade baptismal dress since 1905
