Francis Makemie (one of the founders of American Presbyterianism) was born in Northern Ireland of Scottish parents about 1658 and was ordained in 1682 with the express intention of going to colonial America as an evangelist of the Reformed Faith. The following year, he itinerated along the coasts of Maryland (where he served five churches) and North Carolina. John Galbraith's will of 1691 refers to Makemie as "minister of the Gospel at Rehoboth Twon, Maryland." He finally settled in Accomack County, Virginia.
First and foremost a preacher and a champion of religious freedom, Makemie was also a successful merchant. In 1692 he traveled to Philadelphia where, with seven other ministers, he formed the nation's first presbytery which came to be known as the Presbytery of Philadelphia. Makemie was arrested in 1707 at New York for "preaching without a license from the Crown." After spending two months in prison, he was tried and acquitted. The cause for free speech and religious liberty gained a hearing because of Makemie's spirited and articulate self-defense.
When Makemie came to America, he found isolated congregations of faithful Christians disconnected and often suspicious of one another. To this condition of disunity, he applied an organizing genius for integration for the common good. No matter how long the history of a particular congregation, each Presbyterian church was once a new church development-a mission church-brought to life by Presbyterians working together.
Makemie died at age 50 in Virginia. On the grounds of Makemie Presbyterian Church in Accomac, VA, one can see the fine monument that commerates his ministry. Presbyterian unity for mission in Christ's name is the living legacy of Francis Makemie.
First and foremost a preacher and a champion of religious freedom, Makemie was also a successful merchant. In 1692 he traveled to Philadelphia where, with seven other ministers, he formed the nation's first presbytery which came to be known as the Presbytery of Philadelphia. Makemie was arrested in 1707 at New York for "preaching without a license from the Crown." After spending two months in prison, he was tried and acquitted. The cause for free speech and religious liberty gained a hearing because of Makemie's spirited and articulate self-defense.
When Makemie came to America, he found isolated congregations of faithful Christians disconnected and often suspicious of one another. To this condition of disunity, he applied an organizing genius for integration for the common good. No matter how long the history of a particular congregation, each Presbyterian church was once a new church development-a mission church-brought to life by Presbyterians working together.
Makemie died at age 50 in Virginia. On the grounds of Makemie Presbyterian Church in Accomac, VA, one can see the fine monument that commerates his ministry. Presbyterian unity for mission in Christ's name is the living legacy of Francis Makemie.
