Figure 1.--These boys had their First Communion in 1925. Two of the boys were James G. Alm, looking to the right, and Bob McCauley next to him on the right). We don't know the precise location. The boys were probably Catholic. A reader points out that they could be Episcopal or Lutheran because they only wear boutineres in their lapels to signify that they are dressed for the special ceremony of First Communion rather than the more elaborate white ribbons and bows that Roman Catholic boys often wore. Notice that they all wear Norfolk-style suits. We can't see their trousers, but since the date is 1925, they almost certainly are wearing above-the-knee knickers, probably with long stockings. The boys are about 7-8 years old, which was becoming the standfars age for first communions. Also notice all the Norfolk suits.

The standard dark suit declined in popularity after World War I. We see a wider range of suits. Many boys got new suits for First Communion, but now more were no longer specifically styled for First Communion. Rather than a standard navy blue suit, we see a range of materials that could be worn for many occassions after First Communion. We have found a cabinet card portrait of an undated First Communion group which we believe was taken in the early-1920s, but the late-1910s is possible. The boys are wearing knicker suits with black long stockings. One boys is dressed differently. We are not sure just what kind of jacket he is wearing, but he has a large white collar. He also appears to be wearing knee pants and unlike the other boys wears white long stockings. The girls wear the standard white junior wedding dresses with white long stockings. The boys here in 1925 are another good example of a First Communiin group (figure 1). We are not sure what caused this notable shift. We think it was largely a shift in popular fashion. Norfolk styling, especially during the early-20s. We also see white suits which were not very common in the 1910s. And these were suits that were primarily for First Communion. We see quite a number of boys with whitw suits for First Communion in the 1920s. Most were still knicker suits, but we begin to see some short pasnts suitsas well. And quite a number of boys did their First Communion with just a white shirt and not a suit. We note a First Communion class--both boys and girls--taken at St. James's Church, St. Louis, in 1929. The outfits are all white. The boys wear entirely white suits with knickers, white long stockings, and white shoes. The children seem quite young--perhaps 7 or 8 years old.

Unamed First Communion Group (about 1920)

We have found a cabinet card portrait of an undated First Communion group which we believe was taken in the early-1920s, but the late-1910s is possible. The boys are wearing knicker suits with black long stockings. One boys is dressed differently. We are not sure just what kind of jacket he is wearing, but he has a large white collar. He also appears to be wearing knee pants and unlike the other boys wears white long stockings. The girls wear the standard white junior wedding dresses with white long stockings.

Family First Communion Pair (1923)

Here we have a pair apparentky doing their First Communion together. They look to be about 6-9 years old. We assume they must be briother abnd sister, he most likely grouping of two children doing First Communion together. Perhaps they are just being photograhed together and not doing First Communion together. Or perhaps the First Communion was delayed so they could go through the ceremony together. We are not surec which was atvplay. It was a studio portrait with a white border. All we know for sure is that the portrit was taken in 1923. We can make out Ysk Studio. but we can not make out the location. The boys wears the standard dark knicker suit and matching long stockings. The girlwears the stabdad white junior wrdding dress with an unusual head affair. As both have candles, rossary beeds, and cards, it seems that they asre both doing thrir First Comnunion.

Unidentified Group of Boys (about 1925)

The boys here in 1925 are another good example of a 1920s First Communion group (figure 1). And all boys griups suggest thst they attend a boys school, probably with a church commection. Most of the boys wear Norfolk suits. Norfolk styling was especially popular in he 1910s and 20s.

Unidentified Boy (1925)

Here we have a First Communion portrait of an unidentified boy. It is a studio portrasit, but not done as a cabinet card so we have no information about the studio and where the portrait was taken. But the photographer has placed a card dating it to 1925 in the portrait. The boy looks to be about 8 years old. He wears a Norfolk knickers suit with black long stockings and low-cut shoes. The jacket has the belt and flap pockets common with Norfolk suits, but not the vertical pleats very common with Norfolk jckets. We see a lot of boys wearing Norfolk suits for First Communion at the time. It is not that the style had any connctiion to the ceremony. It was just that Nofolk styling was populsr at the time. He does not have any special First Communion items like a sleeve bow. Perhsps he is Episopalian or Luthern. There seems to be a small boutonniere. the boy is pictured with a white candle and holding a missal.

St. James's Church (1929)

We also see white suits which were not very common in the 1910s. And these were suits that were primarily for First Communion. We see quite a number of boys with white suits for First Communion in the 1920s. Most were still knicker suits, but we begin to see some short pasnts suitsas well. And quite a number of boys did their First Communion with just a white shirt and not a suit. We note a First Communion class--both boys and girls--taken at St. James's Church, St. Louis, in 1929. The outfits are all white. The boys wear entirely white suits with knickers, white long stockings, and white shoes. The children seem quite young--perhaps 7 or 8 years old.

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Created: 9:43 PM 2/7/2010
Last edited: 9:16 PM 1/9/2024