Former professional baseball player-turned urban evangelist. Follow this daily blog that chronicles the life and ministry of revivalist preacher William Ashley "Billy" Sunday (1862-1935)
Billy Sunday conducted a significant revival campaign in Richmond, Indiana, from April 15 to May 29, 1922. This six-week event was part of his extensive evangelistic efforts across the United States during the early 20th century .
Palladium-Item Mon, Apr 17, 1922 ·Page 7
Revival Campaign Highlights
Venue: A specially constructed wooden tabernacle was erected at South 15th and Main Streets (now the site of a CVS and Family Video), accommodating up to 6,000 attendees.
Media Coverage: The Richmond Palladium provided extensive coverage, including daily supplements featuring Sunday’s sermons, stories, and testimonials. A direct telephone line connected the tabernacle to the newspaper office to ensure timely reporting .
Preaching Style: Known for his dynamic and theatrical preaching, Sunday delivered impassioned sermons emphasizing themes like personal salvation, moral reform, and temperance. He often used vivid language and dramatic gestures to captivate his audience.
Billy wrote the following and it was published in the April 22, 1922, Richmond Palladium.
The history of the Church is the history of revivals. The Church was born in the revival of Pentecost.
I know there are many who do not believe in Revivals.
George Whitfield was going to Boston to preach, riding horseback. He met one oof these cold, distant, sullen, morose, melancholy, sleepy, egotistical officials who said, “I don’t want you to preach in Boston.” Whitfield replied, “Neither does the Devil.” and rode on.
If anyone pulse beats quickly for the cause of Christ, they are called “sensational.”
Even the Pharisees ply _______ with their venom the works of Jesus because they did not like his methods. The church is not a disturbing element enough in this God-hating, Christ-hating, boot-legging, law-defying, Sabbath-breaking, old world that is swinging hell-ward so fast she is breaking the speed limit.
The Church is growing so cold she is ceasing to feel that there is anything in the cross of Christ worth living for, or if need be, dying for.
Nothing good was ever accomplished without genuine full-hearted enthusiasm. You might as well try to cross the ocean on a grind stone drawn by cock roaches or heat an oven with snow balls, or ride a Porcupine without a saddle as to win any undertaking week-half-hearted effort!
There is enough dreamy, lazy, slumbering energy in our Churches which is given to God. I would put the Devil in the hospital.
I issue a Proclamation to the forces of truth, morality, righteousness, in and out of the Churches of Richmond, “Come up to the help of the Lord against the Devil and all his hosts.”
W.A. Sunday, Psalm 34
April 17, 1922. Richmond PalladiumApril 18, 1922. Richmond Palladium
Man Who Wrote Book for Him Sues for $100,000 for Breach of Contract.
The Rev. William A. Sunday, the evangelist, was sued in the New York City Supreme Court last Wednesday by Hugh C. Weir of New Rochelle to recover $100,000 for breach of a contract, under which Weir alleges he wrote the series of “Great Love Stories of the Bible,” which appeared with Billy Sunday’s name as the author. Weir also alleges that under the agreement with Sunday he was to write “Billy Sunday’s Own Story,” and another series based on the Bible.
Weir says that he was to get 50 per cent. of the royalties on all the books except “Great Love Stories of the Bible,” for which Sunday got 60 per cent., out of which he was to pay 10 per cent. to a Bible historical authority for proofreading. Sunday was to advance $5,000 to Weir and collect out of the latter’s share of the royalties. The plaintiff also alleges that Sunday agreed to arrange for the sale of the books at all his meetings.
The complaint alleges that although a contract has been made with a reputable house for the publication of the books the evangelist has repudiated his agreement in all respects.
Mr. Sunday has served his answer in the suit, in which he admits that Weir collaborated with him in writing “Great Love Stories of the Bible,” but denies that he has broken any agreement made with Weir
The Duluth News Tribune. Thu, May 02, 1918 ·Page 8
Billy Sunday’s Theology
WE ARE for Billy Sunday.
There are a lot of people sincerely worried because his specially built tabernacle is to cost $25,000 when money is needed for the war. There are others who worry because holes have been dug in the courthouse lawn.
Others fear that, aroused by the impassionate William, a good many people on that last day of his visit may add to his wealth. A still larger number do not like his brand of theology and rebel at his salvation processes.
But it is a fact that most folks, if they did not worry about one thing would worry about some others. The building salvage will be considerable for the tabernacle; the grass will grow again, and no one who does not wish to do so need give a cent to Billy or even go to hear him. It is all free will, not foreordination.
Moreover, there is a psychology in giving. The money he gets from his hearers would not go to any other cause; no one else could get it, and he does not destroy it. As a matter of fact, war work will get more through his coming. He himself gives liberally to every war cause and then buys Liberty bonds. But besides this, he finds the combination to purses that no one else can open. He creates and strengthens the spirit of giving.
The more any community gives, the easier it is for it to give, and this goes on increasingly. Billie knows this and for himself only asks the last day’s collection. He takes his chance, and if he gets more or less, he earns it. He works six weeks for the result, and leaves behind this greater willingness to give.
Billy Sunday certainly has one brand of theology we like. He has a religion to which we respond. He has a gospel which needs to be preached here, as everywhere. This is the theology, the religion, the gospel of Americanism.
He preaches it with unequalled force and vigor. He drives it home with a club. He has no more doubts as to it, as great a faith in it as in his old-fashioned brand of Christianity. He does not quibble, nor apologize, nor temporize, nor emasculate as to either.
Tens of thousands will go to hear him. He will have many thousands no one else can reach or attract. They will all hear this gospel of Americanism, not just preached, but driven home and spiked down. He has exactly the methods needed to accomplish the result.
Thousands who hear him may be no better Christians afterwards, or may backslide in the niceties of Christian conduct, but what is much the same thing today as is the unwavering, unquestioning Christianity he preaches, they will all be better Americans and that will stick. He takes doubt as to this war, as to its righteousness and our common duty in supporting it, and scalps it, leaving not a hair of its camouflaged head to comfort or conceal an ingrowing brain and conscience.
If for no other reason than this, we are for Billy. We do not it would be money well spent to arouse the people of all this section to their obligations just as citizens. He is the best recruiting agent, the best antidote for the slacker, the best seller of Liberty bonds, the best promoter of war giving and the most inspiring sledgehammer of unadulterated Americanism this country has produced. If for no other reason, we are for Billie Sunday. We do not care what his other theology is, his American theology is right and it is needed. We will all be better citizens, more loyal, more un- selfishly patriotic, more willing to give what is dearer than our own lives, for his coming.
The Duluth News Tribune. Mon, Apr 08, 1918 ·Page 3
ADVANCE MAN IS HERE TO PAVE WAY FOR BILLY SUNDAY
Looks to Building of Tabernacle at Courthouse Square—Construction Starts Next Week.
Actual work in preparation for Billy Sunday’s campaign in Duluth will begin early next week when workmen will commence construction of the huge tabernacle in which the meetings will be held.
This was the announcement made yesterday by James E. Walker, advance representative for the evangelist. Mr. Walker reached Duluth Saturday and immediately plunged into the work of preparation for Sunday’s appearance in Duluth. He met representatives from Duluth, Superior and range churches at the First Presbyterian church at 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon.
Richard Close and W. L. Smithies, of the men’s interchurch council addressed the meeting. Both gave their impressions of the Sunday campaign in Chicago. Mr. Smithies was in Chicago Saturday and witnessed the mammoth parade, held at noon, which preceded the largest meeting that has yet been held at the Chicago tabernacle.
Sunday’s Methods Outlined.
Walker’s talk outlined, for the local workers, the Sunday method of conduction a campaign. His classification divides the work into three parts. The preparatory work, he says, usually covers a period of eight weeks preceding the campaigns. The latter constitutes the second division and the third division in, in Walker’s words, “the follow-up campaign or work of conservation.” The first part is now well under way in Duluth.
The Sunday campaigns are usually conducted by 15 committees. Fourteen of these will be in operation in Duluth within a short time. The fifteenth, constituting a restaurant committee, often necessary through the comparative inaccessibility of the tabernacles, will not be needed in Duluth owing to the central location of the tabernacle.
Two Thousand Ushers.
The other committees, some of which are already being formed, together with Walker’s estimate of the number required for each, follow: Music committee, including the personnel of three choruses, 2,500; Neighborhood prayer meeting committee, 2,000; ushers and doorkeepers, who will work in relays, 700; personal workers, 500; secretaries, who will take the names of “trail-hitters” at the meetings, 300; men’s Bible class organizers and workers, 500; finance, automobile, hospital and students committees, 500. This, in the round figures of Walker’s estimate, will total a working staff of 7,000. “And every one of them,” said Walker last night, “will have something to do.”
“The most important part of the work,” said Walker, “is the neighborhood prayer meetings, previous to and during the campaign. If Sunday’s coming did nothing else than serve as an incentive for the organization of these meetings, he would have done enough. It is his wish that a great deal of time and care be spent in the perfecting of the committee which will be in charge of these meetings.
Territory Divided.
“The territory surrounding Duluth and the city itself will be divided into districts, these districts subdivided into sections and these sections again divided into communities or, as we call them, neighborhoods. It is our plan to have prayer meetings for two nights each week for three weeks previous to Sunday’s appearance. These meetings will not be held in the churches of the communities but in the private homes. There were 99 conversions reported at similar meetings which preceded the Los Angeles campaign.
“Billy Sunday’s request is that, at these meetings, those who attend pray for the success of the campaign. The attendance at the Los Angeles prayer meetings was recorded at 73,938. There were 7,556 homes open for meetings.
Tabernacle 8,000 Capacity.
The Duluth tabernacle, according to the present estimate, will accommodate 8,000. It will include, besides the main auditorium, the usual rooms that are built in all Sunday tabernacles. The Duluth structure will be of the turtle-back type that is used in a majority of the cities. Its dimensions will be approximately 176 by 224 feet. It will be built on the courthouse grounds at Fourth avenue West from First to Second streets. Sunday will conclude his Chicago campaign on May 19. He will come to Duluth during the following week and will open here May 26. Walker has established his offices on the second floor of the Y. M. C. A. in the offices of Mr. Smithies. He will direct the preparatory campaign from there and will remain here until after the opening of the campaign proper.
Bily Sunday Tabernacle. Chicago, Navy Pier, c. 1918.
49,165 SOULS AND $56,000, BILLY’S SCORE
Great Crowd Hears Revivalist Close Campaign.
Trail hitters (total) ………… 49,165
Attendance at tabernacle and meetings led by members of the Sunday party ………… 1,200,000
Money raised for current expenses ………… $135,000
Money raised for free will offering to Billy Sunday, which he will give in its entirety to the Pacific Garden mission ………… $56,000
Number of churches co-operating ………… 424
Length of campaign (including 11 Sundays) ………… 10 weeks
BY THE REV. W. B. NORTON.
Billy Sunday has prepared his own epitaph, which he says he wants chiseled on his tombstone when he shall be laid away in Forest Home cemetery, where, he says, he expects his body to rest. It is this:
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day.”
Last night Billy announced the end of his revival campaign here by saying:
“I’ve done my duty. Like a physician after he hands the new baby over to the mother and the nurse, takes his departure, so I commit these new converts to the churches and I go on my way to other fields.”
A Strenuous Finish.
For the first time since Billy began preaching in the tabernacle at Chicago avenue and the lake ten weeks ago, he pulled off both coat and collar and went at his task as in the old baseball days. It was his final sermon and he put into it all the power and feeling he could command.
The rain beat heavily on the roof, and occasionally an umbrella began to rise, but was quickly put down again, so as not to obstruct the view of others. Finally all of the roof windows were closed and the doors opened. At least 13,000 were present, many of them standing. A considerable number were in the seats at 5 o’clock with knitting or papers in hands, determined to have a seat for the final service, no matter how large the crowd.
Appeals for the free will offering for Billy, which is to go to the Pacific Garden mission, were made by George W. Dixon, chairman of the committee on the offering; W. A. Peterson, chairman of the finance committee; the Rev. John Timothy Stone, and Mel Trotter, superintendent of the Pacific Garden mission.
1918, Navy Pier.
Chicago Tribune. Mon, May 20, 1918 ·Page 4
Sunday Is Pleased.
“I consider the most remarkable feature of the meetings has been the evident hunger of the people to hear the gospel, their eagerness of attention, and the steadiness with which they have come,” Mr. Sunday said yesterday. “Every time the invitation has been given there has been a steady stream of hitters, not as I have seen it elsewhere, many coming at one meeting and almost no one the next time. I feel that it has been a remarkable meeting.”
Chicago Tribune. Tue, Jun 25, 1918 ·Page 3
The building (at Chicago Avenue and the lake) is the largest tabernacle ever built for the use of Mr. Sunday and was fourteen feet longer than the next largest one built in New York. It accommodated an audience of 16,000 when the vestibule was filled, as was done on several occasions during the revival campaign.
“Billy” Sunday has come and gone. His mission is a matter of history. What did it signify? Some of the facts of the great revival are indicated in figures. The famous “trail” of the tabernacle for example was touched by nearly 50,000 pairs of feet seeking Mr. Sunday.
Chicago Daily News, no copyright.
The combined audiences at all the Sunday meetings are again reckoned at something like 1,200,000. Plainly a very considerable section of Chicago listened to the Sunday message. No politician, nor even a statesman, ever enjoyed such a hearing.
The novelty in the evangelist’s preachments arose from his unique personality. The doctrines preached by the Rev. William A. Sunday were essentially much the same as those the Chicago of another generation heard from the Rev. Dwight Moody. They were the same to be heard today in the four hundred-odd churches which were represented by the Sunday campaign.
The homely virtues, individual rectitude in business, personal morality in domestic life—these were the essentials. The code preached by “Billy” Sunday was familiar to his congregations. It is characteristically American. The “thou shalts” and “thou shalt nots” are the precepts and the prohibitions of the United States.
Mr. Sunday gave a new emphasis to a creed learned by most of his hearers in infancy. Like all successful missionaries in the home field, he affirmed persuasively what his converts believed, but did not consistently practice.
Many of those who renewed their religious pledges in the tabernacle will be better citizens. Chicago like Billy Sunday. His sincerity and disinterestedness made a good impression.
Every one wishes him success in his next public work.—Chicago Herald- Examiner.
Billy Sunday’s 1918 revival campaign in Chicago, held from March 10 to May 20, was one of his most ambitious and high-profile efforts. It occurred during a pivotal moment in American history, as the nation grappled with World War I, the temperance movement, and the looming influenza pandemic.
The Billy Sunday Tabernacle, Chicago. 1918. Bill Sunday (left), Homer Rodeheaver (right). Public domain.
Campaign Overview
The campaign was strategically timed to bolster support for Prohibition in Chicago, a city known for its vibrant nightlife and strong opposition to temperance reforms. Sunday, a fervent advocate for the ban on alcohol, delivered his fiery sermon “Get on the Water Wagon,” in which he vividly denounced the liquor industry. He likened the “booze interests” to a “rattlesnake that wriggled its miserable carcass out of hell,” vowing to fight them relentlessly—even “on ice” if hell froze over.
Despite his passionate rhetoric and widespread attention, Sunday’s efforts did not yield the desired political outcome. Chicago voters rejected a local Prohibition initiative during the campaign, a defeat famously referenced in Frank Sinatra’s song “Chicago (That Toddlin’ Town)” with the line: “The town that Billy Sunday could not shut down.”
Attendance and Impact
The campaign drew substantial crowds, with estimates suggesting that over 650,000 people attended the meetings over the course of seven weeks.
Sunday’s dynamic preaching style and the campaign’s extensive organization contributed to its broad reach and influence.
Legacy
Although the immediate goal of enacting local Prohibition in Chicago was not achieved, the campaign underscored Sunday’s significant role in the national temperance movement. His efforts contributed to the broader momentum that led to the ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment in 1919, establishing Prohibition across the United States. The Chicago campaign remains a notable example of Sunday’s impact on American society during a transformative era.
In early 1911, the city of Toledo, Ohio, found itself at the center of a spiritual and cultural whirlwind when Billy Sunday brought his revival campaign to town. Running from January 29 to March 12, this six-week crusade marked a significant moment not just in Sunday’s ministry, but in the broader urban revival movement sweeping America in the early 20th century.
To accommodate the expected crowds, a massive wooden tabernacle seating around 9,000 was constructed along Jefferson Avenue, near downtown. Though the city’s population at the time was just under 170,000, more than 350,000 people flooded into the tabernacle over the course of the campaign. It was not unusual for Sunday to preach three or four times a day to packed audiences, some standing in the aisles or spilling outside the structure just to hear his voice thunder through the open air.
Sunday’s preaching style in Toledo was vintage Billy—fiery, theatrical, and unforgettable. He ran across the stage, leapt onto chairs, punched the air, and peppered his sermons with vivid imagery and baseball metaphors. Among the messages he delivered were some of his most iconic: “Booze,” “Backsliding,” “If Hell is a Joke,” and “The Ten Commandments.” His attack on the saloon business in “Booze” especially struck a chord in a city known for its proliferation of taverns and political corruption. “I want to preach so plainly,” he declared, “that the man who runs may read, and that even the saloonkeeper will know that I mean him!”
The results were staggering. Over 18,000 individuals reportedly made decisions for Christ, and local churches saw a dramatic uptick in attendance and membership. The spiritual momentum didn’t stop at the altar. Sunday’s relentless promotion of Prohibition, moral reform, and church revitalization left an indelible mark on Toledo’s civic and religious landscape.
The local press—especially The Toledo Blade—covered the revival extensively, offering daily summaries and commentary. While some editorials criticized Sunday’s bluntness and emotionalism, many praised the campaign’s influence on the moral climate of the city. Business leaders, city officials, and pastors saw firsthand the social power of mass evangelism, and Sunday’s reputation as a national revivalist soared.
Toledo was more than a successful campaign—it was a turning point. It proved that Sunday could handle large urban centers with complex political, economic, and moral challenges. It set the stage for even bigger crusades in Detroit, Boston, and New York, and solidified his status as one of the most influential evangelists of his time.
Evangelist Billy Sunday (1862-1935) 