Before Connecticut was one state, it was divided into two segments; Hartford and New Haven. Because they were divided and established at different times and for different reasons, they both developed varied aspects on religion. For example, Hartford was founded by Reverend Thomas Hooker, who left the Massachusetts Bay Colony because he believed the Puritan government was too strict and oppressive of its citizens. The only large change in Hartford's religion was there was more separation between the church and state. New Haven, however, was a different story. The clergy here wanted to make the church stricter and to have an even closer relationship with the government. The most predominant religion was Puritanism.