THE POLICE CHIEF IN SHIRTSLEEVES
Seattle, Washington (JFK+50) On January 17, 1923, the Seattle Star reports Chief of Police W. B. Severyns appeared in the pulpit of Pilgrim Congregational Church* Tuesday night "in his shirtsleeves."
The Chief, having had a busy day downtown, apparently forgot about his engagement at the church and after being reminded of it by his wife, "tore off his coat and waistcoat...then made a dash for his automobile."
Running late as he stepped to the pulpit, he took off his overcoat only to realize he "had forgotten to put his sack coat** back on...and he was standing (there) in his shirtsleeves."
The Star reports "the whole church rocked with laughter."
*Pilgrim Congregational Church, 500 Broadway East, Seattle, Washington is now known as All Pilgrims Christian Church.
**sack coat is a loose-fitting coat hanging straight down from the shoulders. The sack suit became the standard for men aspiring respectability in business or the professions during the late 19th century.
JFK+50 NOTE
Donald J. Bruggink says that the dress of pastors in the pulpit should be based on the expectations of the congregation and what the people consider appropriate.
One can assume from this newspaper story that it was expected in the Pilgrim Congregational Church of Seattle in 1923 that men appearing in the pulpit should be attired in a coat covering their shirtsleeves.
SOURCES
"A Brief View of Men's Clothing--The Sack Coat," by Adam Lid, September 10, 2012, Lily Absinthe Gowns & Corsetry, www.lilyabsinthe.com/
"Chief Severyns Goes In Pulpit In Shirtsleeves," The Seattle Star, Seattle, Washington, January 17, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
"Pilgrim Congregational Church, Seattle, ca. 1912," MOHAI, Museum of History and Industry,www.digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/
"Preacher Uniforms; What to wear in the Pulpit," by Donald J. Bruggink, Reformed Worship, www.reformedworship.org/
