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.
Dechristianisation during the Reign of Terror (1793-1794)
The wave of Dechristianisation passed across France in just a few months, between September 1793 and July 1794 (brumaire to germinal year II).
Louise Moillon (1610-1696)
Louise Moillon was from a Protestant family and became one of the most well known still life painters of her time. Sadly, her old age was darkened by the Revocation...
Nicolas Moillon (1555-1619)
Many of Nicolas Moillon’s children became Protestant painters, working for the Corporation of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Protestant painters of the 17th century
Many 17th century painters left little or no trace of their work. Here are the names of some of them.
André Jeanbon Saint-André (1749-1813)
André Jeanbon, known as Saint-André, came from a region, and family where the Reformed Church was strong. After beginning a career as a naval officer, he turned to the ministry....
Isaac Moillon (1614-1673)
Isaac Moillon belonged to a large family of Protestant painters in Paris – they worked in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Abraham Bosse (1604 ?-1676)
Abraham Bosse was brought up as a Calvinist – he made several hundred engravings, some of which depicted scenes from the Gospel in contemporary settings. He was a founder member...
Max Leenhardt (1853-1941)
A painter characterised by his attachment to Montpellier and his strong religious faith.
Jeanne Lombard (1865-1945)
Many paintings by Jeanne Lombard refer to the persecution of the Protestants during the Desert era.
Marc Boegner (1881-1970)
Marc Boegner was a pastor with outstanding charisma, and a prominent figure in contemporary French Protestantism. He also acknowledged its various tendencies, and very early accepted big responsibilities. During the...
Suzanne de Dietrich (1891-1981)
Born into a Lutheran-Reformed Alsatian family, Suzanne de Dietrich, after having completed engineering studies, became passionately involved in Bible study, with very demanding requirements and openings towards ecumenicalism.