Elmer Gantry · Character

Mr. Pengilly

An old, kind minister who mentors Elmer early on.

minor

Also known as Andrew Pengilly, Father Pengilly

First appearance: chapter iii

Mr. Pengilly shows up with force in III. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Dean's elderly father-in-law; a retired pastor who insists he would still choose the ministry despite his wife's skepticism.

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In III: Dean's elderly father-in-law; a retired pastor who insists he would still choose the ministry despite his wife's skepticism. Later, in Chapter XVII: An elderly, mystical minister who mentors Frank, teaching him…

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See Mr. Pengilly in chapter iii

Character Web

25 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Early congregation members
Elmer's early associates
Seminary and college figures
Frank Shallard's circle
Local church figures

+20 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Elmer’s public vindication through Hettie’s confession and the immediate offers of prestigious positions mark…

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In the story

Mr. Pengilly appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

III
Dean's elderly father-in-law; a retired pastor who insists he would still choose the ministry despite his wife's skepticism.
Chapter XVII
An elderly, mystical minister who mentors Frank, teaching him the practice of the presence of God and finding God in nature.
Chapter II
Mentioned as the pastor of the Catawba Methodist Church, who might have helped Frank stay in the ministry.
III
The elderly Methodist minister of Catawba, a gentle mystic who believes in accepting God through faith and heart; he becomes Frank's mentor and is called 'Father Pengilly.'
V
Frank thinks of him as someone he would hurt by leaving the ministry.
II
Mentioned as a village saint whose tenderness and uprightness could not keep Frank satisfied with the Baptist ministry.
Chapter XXVII
Hosts Elmer in his cottage, feeling lonely since Frank Shallard left; idealizes Elmer as a St. Michael.
III
The Methodist minister in Blackfoot Creek, Indiana, who hosts Elmer during his visit.
IV
Old Andrew Pengilly, a lonely and mystical village curé, looks forward to hosting Elmer Gantry, seeing him as a St. Michael in dazzling armor.
V
Hosts Elmer in his hovel and directly challenges Elmer's belief in God.
Chapter XXIX
Sends a letter to Frank urging him to stand true and not abandon his flock.
V
Andrew Pengilly sends a scrawled, shaky letter begging Frank to stand true and not deliver his flock to the devil.

Chapter companion notes

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See Mr. Pengilly in chapter iii

See Mr. Pengilly in III