Why did Women Wear Head Coverings in the Church?

Throughout much of Christian history, women were expected to cover their heads during worship services, and this tradition extended to many denominations, including the Episcopal Church. The practice of women wearing head coverings has deep theological, cultural, and liturgical roots that have evolved over centuries. In this article, we will explore the reasons why women wore head coverings in the Episcopal Church and how this practice has changed over time.

1. Biblical Foundations: The Apostle Paul’s Teachings

The tradition of women covering their heads during worship can be traced back to the New Testament, particularly to the writings of the Apostle Paul. In 1 Corinthians 11:2-16, Paul addresses issues of propriety in worship and the roles of men and women in the church. He writes:

• “But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head…” (1 Corinthians 11:5, NIV).

Paul’s directive to cover one’s head while praying or prophesying is rooted in the idea of honoring God and maintaining proper decorum in worship. Paul goes on to explain that the head covering symbolizes a woman’s respect for the divine order of creation, with man being the head of the woman and Christ being the head of man. This scriptural passage became foundational for many Christian communities, including the Episcopal Church, which upheld these traditional practices as part of their liturgical and theological framework.

2. Symbolism of Modesty and Reverence

In the context of the Episcopal Church, as in many other Christian traditions, the head covering became a symbol of modesty, reverence, and humility before God. In the early centuries of the Church, women’s roles in public life were more restricted, and modest attire was considered a sign of virtue. Covering the head was seen as a way of acknowledging one's place in the larger cosmic order—women’s submission to God’s will and men’s roles as spiritual leaders. This custom was not seen as a sign of inferiority, but rather as a reflection of the social and religious structures of the time.

The head covering was also a visual cue for the worshippers to distinguish between those who were engaged in private, domestic life and those participating in the sacred space of worship. Just as priests wore special vestments to signify their role in the liturgy, women’s head coverings marked them as participants in the holy assembly, with all the reverence that entailed.

3. Cultural and Historical Influence

As the centuries passed, the practice of women wearing head coverings became entrenched in various Christian traditions. For centuries, it was common for women to wear veils or headscarves in public, not just in church. The cultural norms of modesty and respect for authority shaped these practices. In the Episcopal Church, which is a branch of the Anglican Communion, this tradition was carried forward, particularly during the Victorian era when modesty and decorum were considered paramount.

For much of history, women’s roles in the Church were more restricted than men’s, and head coverings were often used to demarcate gender roles in worship. In this sense, wearing a head covering symbolized not just respect for the Church but also a visible sign of women’s traditional roles within the religious and social fabric.

4. The 20th Century: Changing Perspectives

By the early 20th century, cultural and social changes—such as the suffrage movement, the rise of feminism, and shifts in attitudes toward women’s rights—began to challenge long-standing customs, including the practice of head covering. In the Episcopal Church, as in many other Protestant denominations, attitudes toward gender roles became more egalitarian, particularly after the Second World War.

The 1960s and 1970s saw significant shifts in liturgical practice, and the Episcopal Church began to embrace a more inclusive approach to women’s participation in worship. Women were ordained as priests starting in 1976, and the custom of wearing head coverings gradually faded in favor of more egalitarian practices. The liturgical reforms that followed Vatican II (1962-1965) in the Roman Catholic Church also influenced many Protestant communities, including the Episcopal Church, by de-emphasizing ritualistic elements like veils and focusing more on the personal relationship between the worshipper and God.

5. Current Practice and Reflection

Today, the practice of wearing head coverings is no longer a widespread tradition in the Episcopal Church. It is considered optional, and most women do not wear veils or headscarves during worship. However, the practice has not disappeared entirely. Some women, particularly those with more traditional or conservative views, continue to wear head coverings as a personal expression of faith, reverence, and connection to the historical practices of the Church.

For some, the decision to wear a head covering is a form of spiritual discipline, a way to honor the biblical teaching of 1 Corinthians 11. Others view it as an act of solidarity with women in other Christian traditions, particularly in Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, where the practice is still more common.

In modern times, some Episcopal communities, especially those with Anglo-Catholic or high-church leanings, may still observe the custom of head covering, often in the context of a more formal or liturgically rich worship experience. For others, the absence of head coverings reflects a broader trend toward simplicity and equality in worship, which emphasizes the dignity and worth of every person regardless of gender.

John D. Curtis

May 5, 1937 ~ October 21, 2024

John Douglas Curtis was called home to Jesus on October 21 st , 2024, while surrounded by family at Mayo Clinic Health System-Eau Claire. John was born at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Douglas and Gwendolyn Curtis on May 5th, 1937. He was a 1955 graduate from Eau Claire High School and went on to attend UW-Eau Claire and UW-Madison.  After graduating from UW-Madison with a History degree, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1962.  He was deployed to Harrogate, England early in 1963. He was a part of the US Army Security Agency and worked as an interceptor of Soviet telegraph signals. Much of the information about his unit and their mission during that time is still heavily redacted. While stationed in England he met the love of his life, Diane Atkinson, at a dance and they were married on February 5th, 1964. After his tour of duty, he and his bride returned to the States and had two daughters, Jane and Sarah. Upon his return he worked with his father, Doug, at Curtis Realty. When his father retired, John and Diane rebranded the business into “Apartments By Curtis” (ABC Rentals). They spent the next 50 plus years providing housing to students. In the late 1980’s they became grandparents when Warren and Elizabeth were born.
 
John's mantra was, "I volunteer." Over the years, John was involved with and helped to create many groups, including: the Bassmasters, the Randall Park Neighborhood Committee, he played the role of Santa Claus for over a decade for Downtown Eau Claire Inc., West Grand Avenue Business Association, the Historic Preservation Society, the Landmarks Committee, the Apartment Association, the EC County Republicans, the EC County Board, Christ Church Cathedral (Vestry, choir, and acolyte) the Jaycees, Kiwanis, and sports teams at Eau Claire High School (lettered in football and track & field) and UWEC (cross country). He was involved with different municipal committees which helped save the Livery, helped create a design for Phoenix Park/ Farmer's Market, which included a space for bands to play outdoors, and helped start Eau Claire's first Community Garden and Skatepark. John always wanted to write a book. Though he never did, he did contribute to many publications: books by the Leader Telegram and Landmarks Committee; Images for VolumeONE, Hidden Treasures, and the Leader Telegram, the House Hunt. He also provided props for the CVTG and Dennis Miller for his movie on Uniroyal. He is credited with playing RB Gillette in Miller's "Voices from the Past." John's love for his hometown Eau Claire, was unparalleled. John would often say “Eau Claire, Wisconsin is the best place in the world” and he truly believed it. John wore his passions on his sleeve, and it was hard not to get caught up in them. One of them was entrepreneurship. Both his daughters created businesses in Eau Claire.  Jane opened Wireless Outlet, and his daughter Sarah shared his love for history and opened a store on West Grand Avenue called Eclectica on Grand.  John’s passion for Eau Claire eventually led him to open a specialty store next door, the River Trader. John seemingly took pleasure in sharing his vast knowledge of obscure Eau Claire history with anyone who walked through the door.  Carrying on with the entrepreneurial tradition his grandson Warren also started a storage and U-Haul business in Iron River, Michigan. John and Diane were very proud of their children and grandchildren and supported
them in all their endeavors. 

John was a huge fan of Wisconsin sports teams, but his favorites were Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Wisconsin Badgers. But John's favorite pastime was going dancing with his wife, Diane, and would see their favorite band, the Thundermen, as often as possible. He was an avid Sportsman and according to him there were three seasons: fishing, hunting, and road construction. John had an affinity towards dogs, but his springer spaniels were his favorite. The ability to hunt and retrieve was a very important quality that he looked for in a dog. He would confidently claim there were no greater dogs than springer spaniels. He also participated in a coffee group multiple times a week. He and his friends would discuss all sorts of topics, but
it was primarily focused on politics and what makes the world go around.   

John was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. John and Diane were heavily involved in the lives of their grandchildren and in many ways parents to them as well. He told the best stories, most of them contained a little bit of a fisherman's exaggeration, making them hard to beat. The advice he would give was always playful and often contained a grain of mischief. His granddaughter Elizabeth gave John and Diane the blessing of great grandchildren, whom he adored. He thoroughly enjoyed having the sound of children playing, once again in his home. John was a fighter, much of the last decade was spent going in and out of hospitals. Even with the health issues he remained jolly and optimistic throughout everything.  His upbeat, positive, can-do attitude served as an inspiration for what can be overcome.  John will be deeply missed by his family and friends.  John is survived by his two daughters, Jane Elizabeth Stevens (Curtis) and Sarah Ann Curtis (Christopher Fraser); two grandchildren, Warren Stevens (Kerri Weecks) and Elizabeth (Dustin) Ruxton; five great grandchildren, Declan, Joslyn, Lucille, Aidan, Lorence and a cousin, Ted (Kathleen) Balcom. 

John is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Diane Curtis, his parents, Douglas and Gwendolyn Curtis and great grandson, Desmond Ruxton. 

Funeral Services will be held at 12:30 AM, Friday, November 15, 2024 at Christ Church Cathedral, 510 S. Farwell Street, Eau Claire, with Father Aaron Zook and Reverend Russell Tate officiating.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be in Christ Church Cathedral Columbarium with military honors performed by American Legion Post 53 and VFW Post 7232. Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral; Cremation Services, Eau Claire is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.lenmarkfh.com.

Mark F. Nelson


December 21, 1952 ~ November 5, 2024

Mark Francis Nelson, age 71, of Eau Claire, WI, passed away due to complications from surgery at May Clinic Health system, Eau Claire, WI, on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

Mark was born December 21, 1952, the second child of Francis and Kathryn (Schumacher) Nelson, Eau Claire, WI.  Mark had a kind heart, and was an animal and nature lover.  In his younger years, Mark worked in farming, trucking, and residential construction.

Mark is survived by siblings:  Nicholas (Lana) Nelson of Huntsville, AL; Carl Nelson of Arden Hills, MN; Kathryn (Roy) Howard of Shoreview, MN; Paul Nelson of Eau Claire, WI; Mary (Mark) Boysel of Columbus, OH; and Tonia (Dennis) Johnson of Eau Claire; and also by many cousins, nephews, nieces, and extended family and friends.

Mark is preceded in death by parents, Francis and Kathryn Nelson, who now welcome him into the eternal kingdom of our Lord.  Rest in peace, Mark.

Mark’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the extraordinary caring staff at Mayo Clinic Health System’s Critical Care Unit.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, November 11, 2024 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Eau Claire.  Visitation will be held at the Church on Monday from 9:30 AM until the time of services.  Burial will take place at Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire, WI.