Baby keeps 102-year-old family tradition alive

Lucas Lemmon doesn’t know it yet, but he upheld a century-old family tradition Sunday.

The 12-week-old baby was dedicated in a baptismal gown worn by at least 30 family members over four generations.

The antique linen gown, trimmed in handmade lace, was brought to the United States when Lucas’ mother’s side of the family, the Storebos, emigrated from Norway more than 100 years ago.

Spokane Valley resident Steve Storebo, 57, wore the gown when he was baptized as a baby.

Lucas, his grandson, was changed into the gown in the back row of Valley Open Bible Church before the service Sunday.

“Things like that go to the heart,” Storebo said later. “It’s a pretty proud moment – even if it’s just a gown.”

Valley Open Bible Church doesn’t baptize babies. It believes baptism should be reserved for individuals when they’re old enough to choose their faith themselves.

Instead, the church holds baby dedication ceremonies, which invite God to “come into this baby’s life,” Pastor Gary Hebden said.

“Lord, we will know that your hand is upon him forever,” Hebden declared as he held Lucas up in front of the congregation.

The infant’s parents, Sarah and Rob Lemmon, put their hands on their son’s head and feet. Little Lucas looked toward the lights in the church ceiling, the long gown draping below him.

The Storebo family keeps a list of the names of the people who have been baptized or dedicated in the gown. It dates back to 1902, when Steve Storebo’s father wore it.

The fabric is thin, and the lace around the collar has yellowed slightly. But the family takes great care of the dress as it crisscrosses the country – from New York to North Dakota to Western Washington and other places – for baptism or dedication ceremonies.

The family never mails the gown. It must be delivered in person.

The Spokane Valley branch of the Storebo family tree holds a reunion every year during Bloomsday, making the gown swap convenient.

Steve Storebo’s oldest brother, Gerald, brought the gown in May knowing that Lucas would need it within a few months.

The gown never is sent to be dry-cleaned and never is thrown into a washing machine. If a baby makes a mess, the delicate dress is spot-cleaned.

“We haven’t had too many major accidents,” Steve Storebo said.

Sarah Lemmon wrapped her son in a blue blanket Sunday “so he still looks like a boy,” she said.

Lemmon, 29, said it was a good thing Lucas was dedicated now because his hands barely fit through the gown’s lace cuffs.

But one of Lemmon’s uncles faced an even greater challenge with the gown several years ago in Auburn, Wash. He had twins and wanted them to be baptized during the same ceremony. So, after one was baptized, the adults quickly swapped the babies’ clothes and the ceremony continued, Steve Storebo said.

The gown soon will go to Lemmon’s brother, Ron Storebo. His wife just gave birth to the couple’s fifth child, Cody.

But Lemmon said she hopes the gown returns to Lucas one day.

“I hope it can be worn by his children,” she said, motioning toward her infant son.