Christians in the City of Montréal

Applying an interdisciplinary approach, this book documents the roots of Christianity in Montréal while also focusing on the present experience of Christians across the Metropolitan Area of 4.3 million. Having lived in Montréal for over 40 years, Glenn Smith illustrates the emergence and resilience of Christianity in Montréal into the present-day secular age. This is achieved by approaching Christianity through the use of archival, historical, urban, ethnographic, cultural studies and community development methodologies.

The book includes interviews with leading figures from Montréal as well as lay people from various traditions. Short interludes between chapters bring to life key information about the city, including Expo 67, the changing face of Montréal and the Church in the 1960s, and the national sport or ’religion’ of Canada, hockey.

Case studies featured range from exploring immigration since the 1960s and the resulting ethnic diversity of Churches, to the roots of Montréal and what Christianity looks like the among the city’s indigenous peoples. Also included is an illuminating chapter on the 1960s ’Quiet Revolution’ of intense socio-political and socio-cultural change in French Canada. Through this, the book discerns the context of Christianity in Montréal as well as broader themes in urban religion, Christianity and secularity and Christianity within the Francophone world

Glenn Smith is Director of the Graduate Program in Practical Theology at Presbyterian College, McGill University, Canada, and at the Institut de Théologie pour la Francophone, Université Laval, Canada. He has published extensively in French and English on the Protestant Church in Canada.