Rev. Mia and Pastor Mark Whitlock

Christ Our Redeemer AME (COR) Church will honor all women at their annual “Hattitude” event on Sunday, May 8.

The celebration is set for the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. worship services in the edifice located at 45 Tesla in Irvine.

“We invite all women in Los Angeles and Orange to worship with us on Mother’s Day and wear their best hat,” said Pastor Mark E. Whitlock, Jr.

 “For many centuries, African-American women have dressed from head-to-toe when attending church, matching their dress, shoes, purse, gloves and hat.

“This was one of the few opportunities to remove the domestic aprons and housecoats and dress their best in bright colors and fancy attire when going before God. Covering your head during worship has its roots in scripture,” he noted.

Whitlock added that the hat became a status symbol celebrating confidence and independence following the many years of hardship and struggle black women endured during and after years of pain and suffering through slavery and into the 21^st century.

Christ Our Redeemer AME Church was founded by five people on the University of California, Irvine campus. COR Church is now the largest predominantly African-American church in Orange County with more than 3,100 multi-racial members.

For information, call (949) 955-0014.