The Significance of Clerical Collars

After the publication of my "Daily Word" on vestments, I received a question regarding the history of the clergy's clerical collar. When researching the history of the clerical collar worn by most members of the clergy across various religious traditions, the information was very interesting. The clergy collar, also known as a clerical collar or Roman collar, is a small but important part of a priest’s vestments. There is a rich history, significance and variations of the collar and its enduring presence.^[1]

The origins of the clergy collar began in the 1800s. Previously, clergy wore various neck coverings, like tightly bound “cravats,” a neck scarf worn by some Protestant clergy from the 17th century, or preaching bands as part of their everyday attire with darks suits or robes.^[2]

The Rev. Dr. Donald McLeod, a Scottish Presbyterian minister of the Church of Scotland, invented the neck-band style of collar around 1827. McLeod had the idea of combining the clergy shirt with a detachable white clerical collar at the front for distinction.^[3]

It was not until the 19th century, and especially during the Oxford Movement, that many Anglican clergy adopted this collar. The Catholic Church later adapted the modern tab-style collar.^[4]

The most popular style of the clergy collar is the small white tab visible at the throat, known as the “tab” collar and is traditionally worn with a black shirt. Other types of collars are the full neckband collar style where the white collar goes all the way around the neck. The tab and full neckband collar are the preferred collars worn by our Clergy. Most collars are made from stiff white plastic for durability and convenience.^[5]

Other collars are made from starched cotton fabric or linen that require extra care to keep that white, pristine appearance. Most detachable collars attach to the clergy shirts with special collar buttons.

The distinctive clerical collar stands for the clergy’s service, a role as a spiritual leader and their dedication to a higher calling. In other words, the collar signifies a cleric's consecration, setting them apart from the secular world, as Christ's representative and a servant of God. The white color is also associated with purity and holiness in the cleric’s life of service.

[1] https://eclergys.com/blogs/info/clergy-collar-a-symbol-of-faith-and-tradition

[2] Ibid.

[3] https://eclergys.com/blogs/info/clergy-collar-a-symbol-of-faith-and-tradition

[4] https://elcergy.com/blogs/info/clergy-collar-a-symbol-of-faith-and-tradition

[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bands_(neckwear)