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Settling in Jamestown, Virginia
Settlers from Great Britain traveled to the eastern seaboard of America, now known as Massachussetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Virginia, for various reasons such as economic profit and religious freedom. It was in Jamestown, Virginia where the first Protestant Episcopal church was established. For more information, click here. -
The Mayflower and Massachusetts
A community of future colonists was involved in a disagreement with the Church of England. They boarded a ship called the Mayflower in Plymouth, England, hoping to gain religious freedom in another land. They later sailed to the future Massachusetts, and were eventually called the "Pilgrims". For more information, click here. -
The Arrival of Roger Williams
Roger Williams, a Minister in London and a future influential leader in religious liberty arrived in the Massachusetts Bay colony in Boston. Williams outspokenly expressed his disagreement with the punishment of religious dissensions by civil authorities, as well as the confiscation of Indian lands. For more information, click here. -
The Introduction of Anne Hutchinson
In 1634, Anne Hutchinson arrived in Massachusetts Bay Colony. She promoted the Covenant of Grace, with the belief that salvation is gained through the grace of Christ. The Puritan elite and officials were threatened by her leadership as she actively engaged women in bible studies at home. For more information, click here. -
The Banishment of Roger Williams
Roger Williams, who arrived in America several years earlier has been banished from Massachusetts because of his belief of church and civil powers being separate. Williams settled in a place near present-day Rhode Island, and established a community he called "Providence". For more information, click here. -
The Takeover of Maryland
Maryland, which was created in 1632 by Cecilius Calvert to give a safe place for English Roman Catholic persecuted at home, has now been taken over by Puritans, as well as Anglicans. To accommodate Catholics, Maryland uses the Toleration Act, giving freedom of worship and protection to everyone who believed in Jesus. For more information, click here. -
Inspired by Roger Williams
In 1658, a Jewish family of fifteen people from Barbados settled in Newport Beach, Rhode Island, having heard of Roger William's stand on religious freedom and diversity. Escaping religious persecution in Europe, the family established the first Jewish community in Rhode Island. For more information, click here. -
The Native Bible
In 1663, Puritans translated the Bible into Native American languages to help christianize their native friends. For more information, click here. -
Religion and the Anti-Slavery Movement
In 1673, the Quakers, a Protestant faith that asserted social justice made an attempt at abolishing slavery. They published a book called "An Exhortation & Caution to Friends Concerning Buying or Selling of Negroes", which was one of the earliest anti-slavery advertisement that went around in the colonies. For more information, click here. -
Pennsylvania and the Freedom of Religion
William Penn, a Quaker sailed to America to settle in the land that the Duke of York has given him. He established a government frame allowing religious freedom and diversity. For more information, click here.
