Crowns: A Brief History of Church Hats

Holiday Hats
Easter and Mother's Day are the two biggest hat days in black churches; many women purchase a new hat just for the occasion. Prices range from around $100 to over $1,000 for a custom-made design. Most women have more than one hat and it's not uncommon for the most devout crown-wearers to own more than 50.

• The website of photographer Michael Cunningham