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Historical Language Advisory

Certain parts of The Presbyterian Church in Canada archival holdings and historical publications contain historical language and content that is harmful or triggering to some readers. This may include language used to refer to racial, ethnic, and cultural groups. The descriptions and content of our collections are reflective of the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. We acknowledge that The Presbyterian Church in Canada Archives can be a site of trauma for Indigenous peoples and people of other ethnic background.

In order to preserve attitudes and views within the historical record, the original description of materials has been retained. As an ongoing process, the archivists may provide explanatory notes with background information of the descriptions.

If you see records with inappropriate language that you feel the archivists should review, please contact us through presbyterianarchives.ca/contact.

Enduring Witness is the Church’s official history, written by Dr. John S. Moir in 1975. First published in honor of the 100^th Anniversary of the union which formed The Presbyterian Church in Canada, it has since been updated and revised twice. The current version brings the history of our denomination right up to the year 2000.

• Introduction, Forward, Preface, Contents
• Chapter 1 – In the Steps of Calvin
• Chapter 2 – Calvinism in the New World
• Chapter 3 – Planters Rebels and Loyalists
• Chapter 4 – Crosscurrents of Colonial Presbyterianism
• Chapter 5 – Scotland’s Mission and the Colonies’ Reaction
• Chapter 6 – The Backwash of Disruption
• Chapter 7 – An Age of Unions
• Chapter 8 – The Great Age of Missions
• Chapter 9 – Entering a New Age
• Chapter 10 – The Long Crisis of Church Union
• Chapter 11 – Survival and Reconstruction
• Chapter 12 – Facing New Challenges
• Chapter 13 – Approaching the Millennium
• Bibliography and Suggested Readings
• List of Abbreviations and Footnotes
• Index

A Short History of the Presbyterian Church in Canada was written in 1966 by The Rev. Dr. Neill G. Smith, Rev. Allan L. Farris, and Rev. H. Keith Markell. It was published by The Centennial Committee, through the Committee on History. The goal of the project was to provide a “brief” history of the denomination.

• A Short History of the Presbyterian Church in Canada

Called to Witness: Profiles of Canadian Presbyterians was first published in 1975 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Presbyterian denominations joining together. The series was a supplement to Enduring Witness. The first two editions were edited by W. Stanford Reid, while the latter two were edited by John S. Moir. This work is a collection of biographies focusing on great Presbyterians, written by several different authors.

• Vol. 1, 1975 – Part 1
• Vol. 1, 1975 – Part 2
• Vol. 2, 1980
• Vol. 3, 1991
• Vol. 4, 1999

Gifts and Graces: Profiles of Canadian Presbyterian Women was published in 1999 through the Committee on History. Edited by John S. Moir, there are several contributors who authored pieces about the lives of great Presbyterian women.

• Vol. 1
• Vol. 2

Conversations With Our Past was written by Brian Fraser and Mary Whale in 1983. It was included as a study guide in a Heritage Resources kit, targeted to older youth and adults.

• Conversations With Our Past

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