Obadiah Holmes: Courage Under the Whip (1651)

Living History Lesson: Roses for Jesus

Step back into 1651 Massachusetts and meet Obadiah Holmes, a Baptist minister who suffered public whipping for his faith. This living history lesson, Roses for Jesus, brings Holmes’ story to life for students in grades 1–12. Students will learn about courage, conscience, and the early struggle for religious liberty—seeing how faith sometimes comes at a high cost.

Watch: When Puritans Persecuted Baptists

Gain a quick understanding of the historical background with this short video. It explains the setting of Puritan Massachusetts and the challenges Holmes faced for standing up for religious freedom.

When Puritans Persecuted Baptists

Living History Narrative

Written as a living history story to be read to or by students in grades 1-12, Holmes’ bravery, the circumstances of his trial, and his enduring faith are presented in a way that makes history vivid and memorable for students.