Church crown

A church crown, also known as a church hat, is a decorative hat worn by women in the Southern United States as a headcovering during Christian church services in accordance with 1 Corinthians 11:2–13.^[1] Though church crowns were common among all American women until the mid-20th century, they continue to be worn in certain denominations that teach the historic practice of Christian headcovering, such as the Free Presbyterian Church and Plymouth Brethren, as well as in the black church.^[2]^[3] The practice of women wearing a headcovering, found in the Bible, "has been adapted and expanded to become a stylish part of Southern women’s churchgoing attire."^[1]

Church crowns are typically a straw hat or fascinator covered with adornments that may include sequins, feathers, lace, tulle, or ribbons. The hats may vary widely in their structure, color, and complexity.^[4]

^ ^a ^b "What are Church Hats?". Southern Living. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2022. Church hats have been a key part of churchgoers' Sunday best for years, and are still an important aspect of dress in some churches today. The practice of covering one's head for church originally came from the Bible—1 Corinthians 11:15, to be precise. The simple head covering has been adapted and expanded to become a stylish part of Southern women's churchgoing attire. At the turn of the century, many Southern ladies wore simple hats to church out of respect, reverence for the service, and continuity with passed-down traditions. The church hat tradition continues today, with hats—sometimes called crowns—in bright colors, bold patterns, and eye-catching styles at Sunday services across the South.
^ McKoy, Kirk. "'Church crowns,' glorious hats for Easter and beyond". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 10, 2022. Though the world has gotten much more casual in recent decades, and hats are far less ubiquitous, hat culture remains alive and well in many of the nation's black churches.
^ Mooney, Myron (May 18, 2020). "Book Review – Head Covering: A Forgotten Christian Practice for Modern Times". Current. Free Presbyterian Church of North America.
^ Baldwin, Hannah. "Church hats an expression of faith, identity". The News Star. Retrieved October 24, 2020.

[SL-1] "What are Church Hats?". Southern Living. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2022. Church hats have been a key part of churchgoers' Sunday best for years, and are still an important aspect of dress in some churches today. The practice of covering one's head for church originally came from the Bible—1 Corinthians 11:15, to be precise. The simple head covering has been adapted and expanded to become a stylish part of Southern women's churchgoing attire. At the turn of the century, many Southern ladies wore simple hats to church out of respect, reverence for the service, and continuity with passed-down traditions. The church hat tradition continues today, with hats—sometimes called crowns—in bright colors, bold patterns, and eye-catching styles at Sunday services across the South.

[McKoy-2] McKoy, Kirk. "'Church crowns,' glorious hats for Easter and beyond". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 10, 2022. Though the world has gotten much more casual in recent decades, and hats are far less ubiquitous, hat culture remains alive and well in many of the nation's black churches.

[Mooney2020-3] Mooney, Myron (May 18, 2020). "Book Review – Head Covering: A Forgotten Christian Practice for Modern Times". Current. Free Presbyterian Church of North America.

[star-4] Baldwin, Hannah. "Church hats an expression of faith, identity". The News Star. Retrieved October 24, 2020.

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