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Given his role at First Purchase Church, it seems natural for Reverend Sykes to be one of the primary leaders within Maycomb’s Black community. He is very gracious and personable, and both of these qualities allow him to earn the trust of his congregation. Reverend Sykes also extends a warm welcome to Jem and Scout when Calpurnia brings them along to a service. Although the children’s presence draws the ire of a few churchgoers, Reverend Sykes remains determined to make them feel safe in his church. This choice simultaneously reflects his universal sense of compassion as well as his respect for the work that Atticus is doing on behalf of their community. Knowing that there are many men in Maycomb who would refuse the Robinson case, Reverend Sykes goes to great lengths to express his gratitude.
Lee also uses the scene at First Purchase Church to emphasize the more difficult aspects of Reverend Sykes’s role as a community leader. Scout is surprised when Reverend Sykes publicly calls out individual church members for ungodly behavior, but she is even more impressed when he implores his congregation to give more money to support Helen Robinson and her children. He is willing to do whatever is necessary to have a meaningful impact on his community, even if it means sternly challenging others to do the right thing. Reverend Sykes continues his show of support for the Robinsons outside of church by attending the high-stakes trial, and his presence there offers Jem, Scout, Dill, and the reader guidance throughout the case. He explains, for example, how Tom became disabled and instructs the children to stand at the end of the trial as a show of respect for Atticus. Even in a situation where he is merely an observer, Reverend Sykes’s leadership abilities remain on full display.
