Baptism clothing

[Southernlady1862]

As a southern baptist... we usually baptize in a creek in front of everyone...... during the 1860's what clothing would be appropriate for a woman to wear for her baptism? I know most were probably baptized as children, when modesty was less of an issue.... but surely some were baptized later in life?
Thanks!

[Spinster]

Re: Baptism clothing

There are several issues going on here......

First, in the Baptist line of belief, you are dealing with a 'Believer's Baptism'--an 'adult' decision. Historically,in the 20th century, especially after WWII, mainline Protestants began to perform that 'believers baptism' at younger and younger ages than one saw in the prior century.

If you are in a 'frontier' setting, where clergy are in short supply and preach on a circuit, you are going to see much more of the adult baptisms--just as earlier in the century there are numerous records of believing couples coming to be married with the first available clergy, often with a child already in arms.

In other words, adult baptism would be the norm, not the exception, in the Baptist tradition.

The earliest image I have seen of a creek baptism is in the mountains of north-eastern Georgia. By the known participants, we can date it to sometime in the 1890s, and know the particular sect to be Missionary Baptists. (Many of these congregations dissociated from the SBC in the latter part of the 19th century and into the mid-20th century). The women pictured are in their late teens to mid 20s, and mostly unmarried. They are wearing a coarse white gown over clothing, and their hair is center parted and pulled back into a long braid hanging down to the mid to lower back. The hair appears to be uncut.

[Southernlady1862]

Re: Baptism clothing

I kept thinking it would be a gown of heavy material for modesty's sake..... but length, cut, style, petticoats, etc, I have yet to find much. I mean.... would they wear a regular dress under their baptism gown, or just their undergarments?
Thank you for your help!

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Baptism clothing

Jessa, you may need to look for local congregational history resources--notes from pastors, or letters from a newly baptized woman, or in anticipation of a baptism... it will be difficult to determine the actual practice without some primary sources from the mid-century. Possibly look at religious newsletters, or newspapers from towns near the church?

[Southernlady1862]

Re: Baptism clothing

Thank you for the suggestions... I will try my best to find such sources.