The Contribution of Presbyterianism to the Maritime Provinces of Canada

Presbyterianism was not only the largest and most influential Protestant denomination in the Maritimes during much of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries but also one of the largest and most influential Protestant denominations in Canada. While the important role of religion in shaping the history and culture of Canada has gained recognition in recent years, the Reformed, or Presbyterian, faith has generally not fared as well as other denominations in terms of serious historical study. This interdisciplinary collection of essays redresses the situation by examining the development of Presbyterianism in the Maritimes from its roots in Scotland to Church Union in 1925. Contributors from a variety of disciplines provide fresh and fascinating explorations of the significance of Presbyterianism in such areas as education, literature, social influence, and missionary outreach.