February 17, 1889, Billy Sunday preached his first message at Farwell Hall. Chicago Tribune featured it on the front page: “STRIKING OUT” SATAN. BILLY SUNDAY, THE NOTED BALL TOSSER, TURNS EVANGELIST. The Famous Centre-Fielder Addresses a Large Crowd at Farwell Hall — He Didn’t Even Allow the “Father of Sin” to Reach First Base—Advising His Hearers to Watch Their “Error Read more...
Jefferson Park Presbyterian Church. Jefferson Park is now Skinner Park. Northeast corner of Adams & Throop St. Billy Sunday started attending in 1886, became an elder, and was ordained there in 1905. Real Billy Sunday: IN 1905 Mr. Sunday was ordained a minister in the Presbyterian Church, by the Chicago Presbytery, the ordination taking place at the Jefferson Park Presbyterian Read more...
Site of Pacific Garden Mission from 1880-1923, location of Billy Sunday conversion. Wikipedia: In 1880, the mission moved to 67 E. Van Buren Street, in a location which was formerly known as the Pacific Beer Garden. At that time, the current name of the mission, Pacific Garden Mission, was adopted; However, evangelist D.L. Moody suggested that the name of the former occupant should Read more...
TL, DR: Billy Sunday’s first professional baseball game was played May 22, 1883, in Chicago at now-Millennium Park. Ten years later, on June 11, 1893, D.L. Moody would preach to his largest audience at the same spot, in a circus tent! The 1890s were the peak of the Gilded Age. Industrialization, wage growth, railroads, factories, mines, immigration, formed the boom Read more...
