Protestant Faith in America

America is often thought of as a Protestant nation and slightly more than half of the population currently profess their membership in a church rooted in the original Protestant movement of the 16th century. Protestants established their churches in the American colonies early on, their descendents fought in the American Revolution, and they took the lead in conquering the continent and civilizing the frontier. Their culture dominated the land through the 19th century and it continues to wield a vast influence on the direction of American life even today. This volume focuses on those churches that trace their history to the Reformation within the Roman Catholic Church, including the Lutheran, Reformed, Presbyterian, Congregational, and Episcopal churches. More specifically, it explores the Protestant faith and addresses the impact these churches and their members have had on American culture and society. It discusses the leading role of Protestants in the founding of many of the country’s most prestigious institutions of higher learning, including Harvard, Yale, Rutgers, and Princeton. It also looks at the significant positions Protestants maintain in business, politics, and intell