Multiple baptisms are quite common in our churches but a recent double baptism at St Swithun’s Church in Headbourne Worthy was unusual for the age range between those involved in the ceremony on 14th July!
Baby Albie (Albert) Preston was welcomed into the family of God at 8 months old and alongside him was Tony Dowland, who has just marked his 90th birthday. Tony was renewing the baptismal promises made by his parents and godparents in 1934.
For Albie his baptism marked the beginning of his journey with God, and for Tony it was a chance to re-affirm a faith that he has held since a young boy. Tony was baptised in Sussex where he was born. He moved home many times as a child and attended Church of England schools. He was also confirmed as a teenager. He and his wife Pat moved to Kings Worthy in 1964 and started worshipping at St Swithun’s Church in the 1970s.
Tony said, “I was baptised in August 1934 and I thought it would be nice in my older years to renew those vows. I probably only made a few gurgling sounds at that first baptism, someone else made those promises on my behalf. I thought it might be time now, 90 years on, to do it myself and to say those vows, which I didn’t know about back in those days.”
Tony has kept his attendance record stamps from Sunday School, and his original baptism certificate is a treasured possession.
“My mother kept that by us, through all the horrible things that happened in the war from 1939 to 1945. She gave it to me and I’ve never let go of it.”
Tony lost his wife 6 years ago and held a photo of her during the service. They had been due to renew their marriage vows at St Swithun’s church, the 11th century church in Headbourne Worthy.
“My faith means such a lot to me. Pat and I were regular churchgoers, we tried to live by Christian traditions and it’s just a way of life to me. I have a wonderful church at St Swithun’s. I feel part of a family when I’m here and it’s been a great comfort. It’s important for me to say my baptism vows at 90 years old because I think it’s going to give me a boost and it’s going to renew my faith. I think it might create a fashion; perhaps other people might go for it too! Today has been very moving and I wish my wife had been here. I am grateful to Revd Paul for the sympathetic and lovely service and it was especially nice to be alongside young Albie.”
Baby Albie was welcomed into the church alongside his parents Alex and Maddie. Mum, Maddie Botham, said: “This church is very important to us as a location. When I was pregnant, it was a hot summer and we came here and we just realised how much of a special place this is. So, when we started coming back to services, this is where we wanted to come and be part of this wider congregation and church family. But it’s also important for us to have Albie baptised to welcome him into the family of God, for him to have more people around him who can help guide him in his spiritual journey and to help him understand what that means for him. From the first time he came, he’s just so relaxed and happy here. He loves coming and seeing everybody and they love seeing him.”
“It’s lovely to have shared the day with Tony. He offered my Mum her first job at Hampshire County Council so there’s a wider connection within our family, which we didn’t realise at the time and has been lovely to discover,” said Maddie.
Dad, Alex Preston, added ”Having someone who’s been through the journey of life, I think it’s really lovely for them to show their faith so publicly. Sharing that journey with him is really important to us too. We’ll make sure Albie fully understands what this day has meant for him and what it meant for Tony and we’ll bring them together.”
“Well, it was certainly a first for me,” remarked Revd Paul Bradish, Rector of Kings Worthy & Headbourne Worthy, “usually the age gap between those being baptised (or renewing their baptismal promises) is very small, but here it was 90 years! A wonderful moment to share together and a vivid reminder that the message of Jesus Christ touches both young and old and all the space in between. Wherever we go, whatever happens to us, Christ is with us and for us.”
