About

Billy Sunday (1862–1935) was one of America’s most dynamic and influential evangelists in the early 20th century. A former professional baseball player turned fiery preacher, Sunday brought a unique blend of athleticism, theatrical energy, and passionate oratory to revival meetings across the nation. He held more than 300 campaigns between 1896 and 1935, reportedly preaching to over 100 million people and seeing more than one million conversions. Known for his rapid-fire delivery, animated gestures, and forceful denunciations of sin, Sunday railed against alcohol, gambling, and moral decay, becoming a key figure in the temperance movement and Prohibition era. Though often criticized for his populist style and financial gains, his influence on American evangelicalism was profound. His campaigns shaped urban revivalism, galvanized churches, and helped usher in a new era of mass evangelism using media, music, and custom-built tabernacles to reach broad audiences. Billy Sunday left a legacy still debated—and admired—today.