Graduate Students

Gill, S.D. - Ph.D

A Scottish Divine on the Frontier of Upper Canada: The Reverend William Proudfoot and the United Secession Mission - Dr. Cowan, advisor     

         The Reverend William Proudfoot of Peebles and minister fro nineteen years, from 1818 to 1832, in Pitrodie was the driving force behind the United Secession's mission in Canada. During his residence in canada from 1832 to his death in 1851, he filled many offices in the church. First and foremost he was the pastor of two largely Scottish congregation sin Westminster Township and London, Upper Canada. He was First Clerk of the Presbytery and also of the Synod and as such was the official correspondent with the Scottish Church. In 1844, after much debate in Canada and Scotland, Proudfoot was instrumental in the opening of a Canadian Divinity school, and he was appointed as its first professor in theology. He also played a critical role in the commencement of discussions for the union with the Presbyterian Synod of Canada (Free Church) and event which finally took place in 1861.
         This thesis looks at the place of the Secessionist Church in Canadian Religious history and assesses the importance of Proudfoot's contribution.