Mormons weren't the only spiritually motivated group making their way west. People of other Christian affiliations also wanted to spread their messages across the vast open spaces where churches hadn't yet been established. With lawlessness on the rise, as well as the perceived "savage" nature of Native Americans, missionaries set about to bring God to the frontier.

Both Roman Catholic and Protestant missionaries sought to bring their ideals and institutions to America. They hoped to create churches out west like those they had grown accustomed to in Europe and the American East. They also sought to bring refinement, decorum, and education to rough frontier communities.

A Christian missionary preaching to Native Americans

These missionaries made great personal sacrifices to bring their beliefs to the frontier. Their work included preaching not just to American settlers, but also to Mexican farmers and Native Americans. To do so, missionaries had to learn new languages and dialects and to develop an understanding of native cultures. One such missionary mastered the Dakota language and subsequently became a spokesperson for Native American rights.

Frontier Church

The missionaries also helped white settlers to feel less isolated out west by bringing familiar traditions to those new lands. They performed weddings and funerals as well as typical worship services.

Although frontier missionaries focused on sharing their Christian principles, they accomplished many other things in the process. They helped develop not only churches but also schools, hospitals, and universities. In other words, they played a leading role in bringing culture to the West.