In 1927, Baptists in the central region of Canada experienced a schism that effectively reshaped Baptist denominational life across the country. Spearheaded largely by the fundamentalist pastor T. T. Shields (1873–1955) over charges of theological modernism at the Baptist seminary of McMaster University, this event saw the expulsion or exodus of dozens of churches from the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec (BCOQ). Over a three-year period, at least ninety churches either withdrew or were removed from the BCOQ.

This schism has become the stuff of legend—either seen as a cautionary tale or a story of courage and faithfulness, depending on one’s theological perspective. In the century that has passed, many historians have devoted significant space to exploring the various aspects of this event. Indeed, historian Robert S. Wilson once remarked that the schism was “probably the most discussed incident in Canadian Baptist history.”[1] Even so, there are many aspects of this event and its surrounding context that remain relatively unexplored.

To mark the centenary of this event, the Canadian Baptist Historical Society and the Andrew Fuller Centre for Baptist Studies are hosting a conference that looks at many of the subjects that historians have either overlooked in the past or have not devoted appropriate attention. Possible topics include: The issues at McMaster that predisposed this conflict (e.g., the confession of faith, early professorial appointments, socio-cultural factors); the theology of L. H. Marshall; the larger North American scene; proto-fundamentalists; the impact of the schism on the pastoral and theological trajectory of various pastors after the controversy; and the role of laypeople in the schism.

This list of topics is suggestive rather than exhaustive. The proposed one-day event will take place on-site at Heritage Theological College and Seminary in Cambridge on 7-8 May 2027, and will feature both plenary and parallel paper sessions. Please email proposals to tmurray@tyndale.ca by 1 November 2026.

[1] Robert S. Wilson, “Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec,” Religions of the World, eds. J. Gordon Melton and Martin Baumann (Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2010), 288.