The Poor of Lyons

In A.D. 1176 a wealthy merchant living in Lyon, France began to question the ways of the Catholic Church. This man was named Peter Waldo. Peter eventually sold all of his belongings so that he could dedicate his life to teaching the gospel. He quickly gained many followers, who called themselves the Poor of Lyons.

During the A.D. 1100s it was illegal to preach without the consent of local clergy. Peter Waldo was unable to obtain permission from the Bishop of Lyon to preach.

By A.D. 1181 Peter and his followers had all been excommunicated from the Catholic Church. They formed a new church which they called the Waldensian Church.