A Concise History of Christianity in Canada

A.J. Pell is the rector of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Diocese of New
Westminster in British Columbia.

The publication of the three-volume History of the Christian Church in
Canada in the aftermath of Canada’s 1967 centennial observances has
led to a series of major publications on studies of Christianity in
Canada. This book seeks to incorporate recent insights into a
comprehensive history of the church in Canada.

Divided into five major chapters, the book covers the period from
Jacques Cartier’s arrival to 1960. The period from 1960 to the present
is considered in a brief epilogue, and there are 63 pages of very useful
endnotes. Each of the five contributors—Gilles Chaussé, Brian Clark,
Terry Crowley, and the two editors—deals with the social, cultural,
and political impact of Christianity on Canadian society.

The volume’s division into five long chapters, as well as
linguistically (English/French), makes it difficult for the reader to
discern concurrent developments in the two linguistic communities.
Although the general reader will find this an interesting and
informative book, its organization reduces its utility for students.