The Tennessee Prayer Breakfast Committee is honoring Winfield Dunn, the Volunteer State’s 43rd governor, who passed away on September 28 at 97.
Dunn (pictured above), who served as governor from 1971 to 1975, hosted the first Governor’s Prayer Breakfast in 1971 “so that legislators, members of the administration, and guests could enjoy time together free of political considerations.”
“A co-founder of the Tennessee Prayer Breakfast, Governor Dunn’s faith and compassion brought leaders from across the state together in prayer, helping establish a tradition that has spanned over 50 years. His dedication to public service was always underscored by his humility and love for the people of Tennessee,” the Tennessee Prayer Breakfast Committee said in a press release.
Earlier this year, the Prayer Breakfast hosted its 50th annual event, where Dunn reflected on his decision to host the first breakfast in 1971.
“The feeling I always get in a large group of worshippers is a feeling of togetherness, strength, and somehow it just made sense to me to see if I couldn’t get a prayer breakfast started,” Dunn said in a video published by the Prayer Breakfast at the time commemorating the event’s 50th anniversary.
“I take a great deal of personal satisfaction in being a part of the original idea of the group coming together, regardless of political affiliation,” Dunn added.
Ryan King, the 2025 chairman of the Tennessee Prayer Breakfast Committee, said Dunn’s “vision for the Prayer Breakfast has fostered unity and inspired generations of leaders to seek guidance in faith as they serve the people of Tennessee.”
“His legacy will continue to inspire and guide us,” King added.
Dunn, who was laid to rest in Nashville last week, was the first Republican to be elected as Tennessee’s governor in 50 years.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Winfield Dunn” by Republican Party of Shelby County. CC BY 2.0.
