On November 28, 1904, a newspaper article reported that Paul Laurence Dunbar recited his poetry at a church in Dayton. The same story described efforts to bring religious revival to the city.
Dayton, O., Nov. 28 -- In all of the Protestant churches of this city Sunday sermons were preached on the general topic, "The Need of a Spiritual Awakening in Dayton." This is preliminary to a religious campaign which will be waged here next month. At Sacred Heart Church today, Rev. Hickey spoke of the evil of presenting plays of a blood-curdling character, claiming that they have a tendency to turn boys' minds and lead them astray. At the Fourth Reformed Church, last evening, Paul Laurence Dunbar recited two original poems.
"Religious Campaign to be Started." Butler County Democrat (Hamilton, Ohio). December 1, 1904. Page 6.
Paul frequently used churches as venues for his speaking engagements, and many of his poems are on spiritual themes. However, he claimed to have no personal religious faith and he often skipped Sunday services. At age 20, he spent several months in Chicago during the World's Columbian Exposition and he simply forgot to go to church.
The buildings at the World's Fair are indeed a wonder in themselves. I spent all of my first Sunday there, and for the first time in my life I must confess to having forgotten the Sabbath day, so absorbed was my mind in the scenes about me. And then there was nothing to remind one of the sacredness of the day. Men were working around, the sound of file and saw and hammer was constantly in my ears. Workmen were shouting and running to and fro. No one was arrayed in Sunday attire, and there was not even the sound of a chapel bell to call my wandering mind back to the day.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to James Newton Matthews, May 2, 1893. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).
Paul's wife Alice had a religious upbringing, but during their courtship Paul's letters often mentioned his lack of interest in churchgoing. After they were married, Paul sometimes attended services with Alice.
It is such a bright Sabbath day that one hates to stay in the house; but it is at the same time so cold and windy that one dreads going out. So that instead of being in church attending to the admonitions of my spiritual adviser, I am here by my fire, among my books writing to you and dreaming of a thousand things.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, February 16, 1896. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
It is now twelve o'clock and I have spent this morning in a very irreligious way at the office. I will now arise from dreams of thee and go to church for a few minutes.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, August 16, 1896. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Mrs. Dunbar has contributed occasionally to newspapers, and a collection of her stories has been recently brought out in book form. She is an Episcopalian in creed, and Mr. Dunbar, while not a member of any church, attends services with her. "The peal of the organ, the flowers, the dim, restful light, the ritual -- all appeal to me," he says. "Most men have at some period in their lives an attack of agnosticism, as of measles, but with me it has left no scars."
"Won Success in Rapid Strides," by Gilberta S. Whittle. Detroit Free Press (Detroit, Michigan). January 5, 1902.
In the spring of 1901, Paul spent several weeks in Jacksonville, Florida, at the home of his friends James and Rosamond Johnson (the cowriters of "Lift Every Voice and Sing"). The Johnson household was very religious, but Paul resisted their evangelistic efforts.
You know my horror of being endlessly entertained and talked to. Old man Johnson is a consummate old bore. He is a Baptist preacher and maintains his right to hold the floor at all times. If I want to go out Mrs. Johnson fears for my health. If I go upstairs the grandmother calls me into her sick room and talks to me about my soul.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Moore Dunbar, March 26, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Rosamond Johnson has been trying to get me to go to church but all entirely without avail. He fancies I am going to see a girl rather than hear him play the organ and Jim the violin. This time it's Jim Johnson wants me to go to church. Nuts! I told him. Then I said Hell! and he took his violin and decamped.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Moore Dunbar, March 31, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
It is a beautiful though chill Easter Sunday here and I can hear the singing in the little Episcopal church just across the field from me. Somehow it makes me feel very wicked and neglectful, for as usual I refuse to be persuaded to go to church.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Moore Dunbar, April 7, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Paul's first novel, The Uncalled, is about a young man from Ohio whose adoptive mother tries to compel him to become a preacher. He finds organized religion in his small town to be stifling, so he moves to a large city and comes to terms with his faith.
The air stifled me. I could not breathe in it. Now that I am away, I can look back and see it all -- my mistakes and my shortcomings; for my horizon is broader and I can see clearer. I have been given a greater chance to love, and it has been like the breath of life to me. I have come face to face with Christianity without cant, and I respect it for what it is.
Excerpt from Chapter 17 of The Uncalled, by Paul Laurence Dunbar. Published in 1898.