Stark County girl shines in 1911 dress
MASSILLON – When Cagney Black received her first Communion on Saturday, she was surrounded by the love of Christ, her family and a century-old heirloom.
Black was among a group of youngsters celebrating the occasion at St. Mary Catholic Church. The spring ceremony was postponed because of the pandemic.
The Tuslaw third grader is the eighth family member to don a lace frock sewn 109 years ago by her great-great- grandmother, Helen Lindenberger Rohr, for her first Communion in 1911.
Terri Black, Cagney’s mother, said her great-grandmother grew up on a Jackson Township farm when making your own clothing was a part of life.
When she died in 1985, Lindenberger Rohr’s daughter and granddaughter discovered the hand-sewn dress among her belongings.
Terri Black treasures the dress as well as a picture of her great-grandmother wearing it.
After the discovery of the heirloom, Terri Black was the first family member to wear the dress when she received the Holy Eucharist at St. Mary shortly after the dress was found.
Through the years, Terri Black’s sister and four cousins wore it in honor of their ancestor.
Other than a good wash and a slight alteration to fit those wearing the dress, nothing has been changed. Terri Black said mostly everyone who wore the dress was the same size as their predecessor.
A veil was found with the dress, but was too brittle and fell apart, the elder Black said. Her mother and grandmother, who are both deceased, made
another veil.
Terri Black isn’t sure her daughter understands the emotional aspect or the history behind the antique dress.
“But she’s excited to wear the heirloom,” Terri Black said.
Maybe someday Cagney will have a daughter and pass it on, she said.
Reach Amy Knapp at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @aknappinde.