The Protestants and the Vichy regime
At the defeat in 1940, the Protestants’ attitude was similar to that of most of the French : to trust Field Marshal Pétain. The break with the Vichy regime came as...
Protestants outside France
Few were those who had the courage to say « No” to the armistice announced on 17 June 1940 ». An estimated 2,000 French chose to leave for England during the summer...
The Resistance and the Liberation
The Protestants had protested early on and widely against the measures taken by the Vichy regime, and had been forerunners in humanitarian aid, (the role of Cimade), but they hesitated...
The role of protestant women during the 20th century
At the end of the 19th century, protestant women were already very much involved in creating social charities. Early in the 20th century they followed the Anglo-Saxon example and managed...
Growing numbers of women pastors between 1960 and 2000
Since the 1960s women were definitely considered as pastors equal to men in Lutheran and Reformed churches. At the turn of the 20th century, they were more and more numerous...
Women pastors from 1900 to 1960
Women started being pastors as the general movement for emancipation appeared towards the end of the 19th century, and as young women were accepted in universities. Then the need to...
The Young Women’s Movement (Mouvement Jeunes Femmes)
The Young Women’s Movement (Mouvement Jeunes Femmes) came into being when, at the congress of the « Young Women’s Christian Association » (Unions Chrétiennes de Jeune Filles) in 1946, some of the...
Scouting and women
After the English example female scouting was created with a view to training and managing young women. In 1920 the creation of the Fédération Française des Eclaireuses (FPE – French...
Young Women Christian Unions (UCJF)
Young Women Christian Unions were closely linked to the Revival movement. They were simultaneously created during the first half of the 19th century in Great Britain and in the United...
The birth of the Amish community in Alsace
The Amish first appeared amongst the Anabaptist community in Alsace towards the end of the seventeenth century. The founder, Jacob Amann, demanded a community with a more rigorous discipline.
The Amish in Alsace in the 18th century
At the beginning of the 18th century, the Amish communities once more had to face persecution and were expelled from their lands. This dispersion, however, renews their strength. They are...
Isabeau Vincent
Isabeau Vincent, was a young shepherdess living near Crest, who started the protestant movement called the « minor prophets » in the Dauphiné, the Vivarais and the Cévennes.
Valentin Conrart (1603-1675)
Valentin Conrart was a man of letters and the first permanent secretary to the “Académie française”.
The French Revolution and the Protestants
In France, at the end of 1791, the Revolution had met the common aspirations of the Protestants.
Religious Freedom
French Protestants were granted religious freedom during the Revolution.
Protestants in the various Assemblies
Protestants were involved as events unfolded throughout the Revolution. For the Protestants it was never about involvement because of their religion. It should be emphasised that the Edict of Toleration...
The restoration of religious freedom
Following the fall of Robespierre, 9 Thermidor of year II (27th July 1794), religious life proceeded in an atmosphere of freedom and equality of worship.