The religious and political schism of the dutch reformed church during Leisler’s rebellion

The article examines the religious and political schism of the Dutch Reformed Church of the New York colony. The schism happened as a result of the anti-Catholic rebellion in 1689-1691 under the leadership of Jacob Leisler, a famous merchant and ardent Calvinist. The topic is important for studying the history of the North American colonies of England, firstly, because the Dutch Reformed Church was one of the most numerous and influential, and secondly, because a lot of the leaders of the colony were prominent members of this denomination, who belonged to both old administration appointed before the rebellion and the new one formed as a result of it. In addition, during Leisler’s rule who relied on his supporters occupying the highest administrative positions in the colony, the Dutch clergy openly criticized his regime and supported the deposed leaders accused of “papism and betrayal”. Parishioners of such congregations, mainly Leislerians, responded by leaving churches en masse and criticizing the clergy. All of that resulted in the split of the Reformed Church for many decades, because Dutch Congregations turned into the opposition center between anti-Leislerian “top” - clergy, and active Leislerian “bottom” - parishioners.