First Purchase Church — To Kill a Mockingbird

Atticus is away at the state legislature, and Calpurnia refuses to leave Scout and Jem without a proper Sunday service. She walks them to First Purchase African M.E. Church, south of town, named for the story that freed people paid for it with their first wages. The building is simple and poorer than the white churches the children know. Few hymnals sit in the pews, and many adults cannot read. People have dressed with care. The place belongs to them.

At the door a woman named Lula objects to white children coming in. Other members tell her that anyone Calpurnia brings is welcome. Zeebo, Calpurnia's son, greets them and leads the singing by lining out the hymns: he calls a line, and the congregation answers it back. Reverend Sykes preaches, then takes a collection for Helen Robinson, Tom's wife, who cannot find work because of the charge against her husband. The first pass is short. He names ten dollars, keeps the doors shut, and only releases them when the second effort reaches the sum. After the service Scout learns, in plain language, that Tom is accused of raping Mayella Ewell. The word sits differently now that Helen's name has been a duty of the whole church.

On the walk home Scout asks why Calpurnia's speech changed. At the Finch house she uses Atticus's careful English. At First Purchase she shifts into the speech of the congregation. Calpurnia says a schoolteacher voice in that room would be rude, not impressive. She will not shame her neighbours to please a child. Scout asks if they may visit her home someday. Calpurnia says they may. They turn onto their street and see Aunt Alexandra on the Finch porch with her belongings, as if she has always belonged to that chair. Atticus is still out of town. The children stop short.