A measure of success
Subtitle: Protestants and public culture in antebellum Cleveland
By: Michael J. McTighe.
Publisher: State University of New York Press
Published: 1994
Place of publication: Albany
Language: eng
Number of pages: 283
Subjects: Christianity and culture -- History -- 19th century.; Protestant churches -- Ohio -- History -- 19th century.; Cleveland (Ohio) -- Church history -- 19th century.; Ohio -- Church history -- 19th century.
Description: This book examines the role Protestants played in the formation of the public culture of antebellum Cleveland, a developing commercial city typical of many cities throughout the Midwest. The author analyzes the extent to which, and the way in which, Protestants were able to exercise power in the city, concluding that they achieved a measure of success during the years 1836 to 1860, after which their power began to erode.

As a framework for this analysis, he develops a methodology for measuring the success, or influence, of religion in a particular society.

By focusing on the public culture, this book encompasses both the formal and informal uses of power and the public, quasi-public, and private activities of Protestants.

This allows for a discussion of a broader spectrum of culture-shaping activity that is usually included in studies of religion and society, including an examination of contests within the Protestant community over identity and commitments and attitudes toward economic development, benevolent work, temperance agitation, antislavery campaigns, participation in civic rituals and the social bases of Protestant influence.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [233]-275) snd index.
Revision of thesis (Ph. D.--University of Chicago, 1983) originally presented under title: Embattled establishment.