The Influence of the Continental Tradition on American Presbyterians

Brian DeJong explores the history of Presbyterianism in Wisconsin by focusing on several key figures in the development Presbyterian churches in the area.

In 1821, the Stockbridge Mohican Indians relocated to the Fox River area, just north of Appleton. These Indians had been under the Christian ministries of David Brainer, Jonathan Edwards, and John Sergeant in Massachusetts. They eventually moved to the eastern shore of Lake Winnebago. The Rev. Jesse Miner came to minister among them in 1825. Later, Mr. Cutting Marsh served among them as well.

Rev. DeJong also describes the ministries of Rev. Moses Ordway and Stephen Peet in Green Bay and beyond and Pieter Zonne in what is known today as Cedar Grove. Overall, we gain a sense of the pioneering mindset and strong commitment to missions and church planting among these early Wisconsin Presbyterians.

• Henry Stephen Lucas, Netherlanders in America
• Robert P. Swierenga, Dutch Chicago: A History of the Hollanders in the Windy City
• Christ the Center episode 713, The Committee of Nine and Evangelicalism
• Stephen Peet, History of the Presbyterian and Congregational Churches and Ministers in Wisconsin
• Christ the Center episode 339, Dutch Immigration and American Presbyterianism
• Brian DeJong Sunday school lesson on Presbyterians in Wisconsin