This week in Christian history: Bob Jones loses at Supreme Court, Protestants banned from Canada

French Protestants banned from Canada – May 23, 1633

This week marks the anniversary of when Quebec Governor Samuel de Champlain issued an order banning Huguenots (French protestants) from settling in New France in modern Canada.

Part of a broader persecution of the religious minority, Champlain only allowed French Catholics to acquire territory in the North American colony.

According to Huguenot historian Henry M. Baird, the decision proved to be problematic for French colonial efforts in North America.

“The exclusion of the Huguenots from New France was one of the most stupendous blunders that history records,” said Baird, as quoted in the book, The French Blood in America.

“… they would have rejoiced to build up a French state in the New World. No other desirable class of the population of France was inclined for immigration.”