Makemie, Francis - Timeline Biography
Time Period
1668 - 1708
Description
Francis Makemie was born in Ireland and educated and ordained in Scotland. After a brief stint ministering in Barbados, he started a church in Snow Hill, Maryland in 1684. He often traveled up and down the colonies planting churches and traveled to England to recruit additional itinerant ministers, helping Presbyterianism in ways similar to how Francis Asbury helped Methodism. He helped organize the first presbytery in North America in Philadelphia in 1706.
However, he faced opposition. In New York, Makemie was barred from preaching in a Dutch Reformed church. When he spoke instead in private homes, he was arrested for unlicensed preaching. After spending five months in jail, he won a jury trial. Although religious toleration remained severely limited, the hard fought victories won by Makemie and other persecuted dissenters anticipated the wave of state disestablishment acts a century later.
However, he faced opposition. In New York, Makemie was barred from preaching in a Dutch Reformed church. When he spoke instead in private homes, he was arrested for unlicensed preaching. After spending five months in jail, he won a jury trial. Although religious toleration remained severely limited, the hard fought victories won by Makemie and other persecuted dissenters anticipated the wave of state disestablishment acts a century later.
Interactive Timeline(s)
Browse Related Timeline Entries
Religious Groups
Presbyterian-Reformed Family: Other ARDA LinksPresbyterian-Reformed Family: Religious Family Tree
Events
First Presbytery Formed in PhiladelphiaRelated Dictionary Terms
Presbyterian-Reformed Family, PresbyteryPhotographs
Francis Makemie statue- Wikimedia Commons- photo by Smallbones
Francis Makemie on trial before Lord Cornbury- Hathi Trust- from Virginia Presbyterianism and Religious Liberty by Thomas Cary Johnson
Rehoboth Presbyterian Church, founded by Makemie- Internet Archive- from Mackemieland Memorials by L. P. Bowen
Francis Makemie monument- Internet Archive- from Mackemieland Memorials by L. P. Bowen
Book/Journal Source(s)
Hart, D.G. and John R. Muether, 2007. Seeking a Better Country: 300 Years of American Presbyterianism P & R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ.Web Page Contributor
Paul MatzkoAffliated with: Pennsylvania State University, Ph.D. in History
