After Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, the church and its teaching founded in his name did not gain widespread popularity until 500 C.E. Around this time, Christianity in the form of the Roman Catholic Church became the state religion of the Roman Empire, and later the Holy Roman Empire. Sometimes, church leaders met to try and resolve disagreements. Other times, individuals or groups broke from the Church and formed their own church. One such break involved John Wycliffe.