Page "John Calvin" Paragraph 49

Calvin's greatest contribution to the English-speaking community was his sheltering of Marian exiles in Geneva starting in 1555.

Under the city's protection, they were able to form their own reformed church under John Knox and William Whittingham and eventually carried Calvin's ideas on doctrine and polity back to England and Scotland.

However, Calvin was most interested in reforming his homeland, France.

He supported the building of churches by distributing literature and providing ministers.

Between 1555 and 1562, more than 100 ministers were sent to France.

These efforts were funded entirely by the church in Geneva, as the city council had refused to become involved in missionary activities at the time.

Henry II severely persecuted Protestants under the Edict of Chateaubriand and when the French authorities complained about the missionary activities, Geneva was able to disclaim responsibility.