Helen Sunday (1868–1957)

Abstract

Helen Amelia Thompson was born into a prosperous Chicago family. Her father, William Thompson, was one of the city’s foremost ice-cream manufacturers and distributors. The Thompsons were stalwart members of Jefferson Park Presbyterian Church. Helen, whose nickname was Nell, was converted at the age of fourteen. She attended a business college and worked in the family business. She met Billy Sunday at a social event sponsored by her church. At the time, Billy was playing professional baseball with the Chicago White Stockings. Billy was immediately smitten with Helen, and eventually she returned his interest, despite her father’s objections. “To his [her father’s] mind ball players were late adolescents—men who refused to work for a living and spent their time playing and drinking beer.”¹ Nevertheless, Helen and Billy were married on September 5, 1888.