Final answer:
The Massachusetts Bay Colony did not refuse an established church but was closely tied to the Congregational Church, and church membership was required for governance. Religious dissent was not tolerated, leading to the banishment of dissenters who challenged the colony's strict practices. The colony eventually became a royal colony with a more liberal charter, yet the church's influence remained significant.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Massachusetts Bay Colony did not refuse an established church; in fact, it was closely associated with the Congregational Church, which had roots in the Puritan movement. Membership in this church was essential for participation in colonial governance, as only official church members, known as 'visible saints', could be freemen of the Massachusetts Bay Company, the colony's governing body.
The colony was known for its lack of religious tolerance. Dissenters who challenged prevailing religious norms, such as Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson, were banished. Roger Williams went on to found Rhode Island, which welcomed those dissenting from the Massachusetts Bay Colony's strict religious practices.
Eventually, Massachusetts Bay Colony became a royal colony, but it maintained its established church supported by public taxes, reflecting the persistence of the Puritan influence. However, broader religious freedom emerged with the new liberal charter issued by William III in 1691, but it did not immediately lead to complete separation of church and state in the colony.