The use of hand fans can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where they were a device used in religious ceremonies. In Christian churches in Europe, women in years past used fans to hide their faces during religious services. By the 20th century, they were common in churches throughout the United States, but often in a more secular context.
Before the widespread adoption of air conditioning, hand fans played a major role in the comfort of the congregation in many churches, especially in small churches in the South. A simple paper fan could make a long service on a hot day in a small, crowded church bearable. In some rural areas, that's still the case today. But religious hand fans are not just for cooling. Their relatively large size and light weight make them an excellent way to display art or information, such as religious art and/or the name of a local business. Many local businesses donate fans with their logo and marketing information on one side and a religious portrait on the other.
In some African-American churches, fans have commonly showcased not just religious figures, but secular ones as well. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., President John Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy all have been depicted on hand fans. In at least one instance, fans have been used for church fund-raising purposes. Missionary Independent Spiritual Church in Forestville, CA bills itself as the "smallest church in the world," with just over 28 square feet of floor space. In 2008, the church started selling hand fans with a traditional guardian angel portrait as a fund-raising item. In its newsletter, the church reported the sale as a great success, exceeding budgeted expectations.
Custom printed hand fans can also be used to commemorate church anniversaries and other special events. Wedding fans also are popular, whether they feature information about the couple getting married, a favorite Bible verse or other quotation, or even a picture of the bride and groom.
No matter what style of custom fans your church needs, HandFans-Direct.com is your best source for hand fans. We offer free artwork design and revisions, and we guarantee product quality and on-time shipping. We'll match any price for an identical item. Whether you're looking for stock or custom designs, we're here to serve you. Call us today at (866) 291-1524, or email us at [email protected] to find out more!