Joan Marshall examines the effect of socio-political change on the English-speaking community's relationship to the Anglican church at both the diocese and the parish level. Her argument is based on quantitative measures of attendance, membership, and financial contributions and qualitative data derived from interviews and participant observation.

She also examines changes in male-female roles and expectations, the "old order" Book of Common Prayer versus the "new order" Book of Alternate Services, the role of music, and other issues to tease out an understanding of the central role of the church vis-a-vis individuals, the parish communities, and broader Quebec society. Marshall makes a significant contribution to our understanding of how concepts of institutions, community, place, cultural conflict, and cultural survival are interwoven.