Figure 1.--This unidentified Chicago boy was photographed in his altar boy vestments in 1936. We are not sure what ethnic community he was from, but Poles were especially important in Chicago.

We have far more images of altar boys after-the-turn of the 20th century. The expanded immigration turned Catholics from a small, largely Catholic minority to a major American religious community. And an increasingly prosperous community. Catholics primarily setteled in the cities and became a major part of America's expanding industrial work force. The Catholic presence was largely in the big northeastern cities and indudtrial Mid-Wst, but gradually spread around the country. Large numbers of Catholic boys served as altar boys. It was seen as an honor anmd mothers in particular encouraged boys to serve. Early altar boy garments seem somewhat fancier than the ones we see after World War I. Congress placed significant limitations on immigration (1920s) and Catholic southern Europe was disadvantages. The story of Catholicism in America is one of gradual assimilation and acceptance. After World War II, American Catholics had joined the American mainstream. Not long after, the first Catholic president was elected. There were also major changes in immigration law which affected the ethnic mix (1960s). After this, illegal immigration began to increase, especially increasing numbers of mostly Catholic Hispanics. We note images of altar boys throughout the century.

Created: 3:35 AM 7/24/2011
Last updated: 3:35 AM 7/24/2011