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McCaysville, GA
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History
Cherokee Journey of Faith
The first known and documented encounter between the chiefdoms of the Cherokee and Christian Europe took place in the year 1540. Occurring in the second year of the Spanish expedition of Hernando De Soto, this clash between old world and new world cultures would mark the beginning of monumental changes coming to the native people of the lower Appalachia.
De Soto's group first entered ‘Cherokee’ territory while searching for gold in what is now the southeastern United States. As representatives of Catholic Spain, their directives included evangelizing the natives of the 'new world'. Unfortunately, like in Europe during the inquisition and in Central and South America during the Spanish Catholic conquest, the vile combination of apostate religion, guns and greed resulted in cruel and violent exchanges with Native Americans and no real success for the propagation of true Christianity.
De Soto meeting Native Americans in the South
Despite this confrontation with the Cherokee, in 1566 a temporary Spanish Catholic mission post was established under the direction of the St. Augustine priest Father Rogel at what was then the eastern boundary of the Cherokee nation. This is recorded of Father Rogel’s observations of the Cherokee at that time:
“… they were a sedate and thoughtful race, and dwelling in peace in their native mountains, whence they defied their enemies at the north and south, they cultivated their fields, and lived in prosperity and plenty. Their morals were far superior to those of the lowland races: polygamy was unknown; and men and women, by their very aspect, gave tokens of a higher state of culture.”
Although the Cherokee showed interest in Father Rogel’s teachings, for lack of conversions he abandoned the mission after just two years.
Other sixteenth century Christian contacts would include the Spanish Catholic explorers Juan Pardo and DeLuna. On separate occasions their groups entered Cherokee territory, made contact, and evangelized among the people. One intriguing and only partially documented possible encounter may even have come from Protestant Christian England via the indigenous integration of the lost Roanoke colonies into the eastern extremes of the Cherokee Nation or neighboring tribes.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, fur traders from Europe would continue to extend Christian influence and European culture among the Cherokee. In addition to trading goods and teaching European land management and farming techniques, some intermarried with the natives. This would have a significant and long reaching impact in relationship to Christianity and its future influence with the Cherokee.
By the late 18th century and Revolutionary war period, the Cherokee had allied with England against the Colonies which resulted in great destruction of native properties and life. Few mission efforts occurred or were recorded during these most turbulent years.
Rev. Samuel Worcester-ABCFM Missionary to the Cherokee
It was not until the early 19th century that comprehensive and lasting missionary success was realized among the Cherokee. This was in large part the result of the Baptist, Methodist, Moravian and the Boston based American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) establishing caring and devoted missionaries, like Rev. Samuel Worcester, in mission stations at multiple sites within Cherokee territory. Some of these Protestant missions and churches in Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and Alabama also included schools at the request of the Cherokee leaders and resulted in the Cherokee becoming one of the first formally educated and Christianized tribes of the United States.
Brainerd Cherokee Mission in Chattannooga Tennessee
Memorial marker for Dr. Samuel Worcester ABCFM 1821
Uncle of Rev. Samuel Worcester missionary to the Cherokee
Brainerd Cherokee Mission Site
Catherine Brown portrayed by Cherokee native Pamela Sturgill
Christian Chief John Ross
During this time the Cherokee elected a Christian Chief for their nation and established a Cherokee language newspaper with a Christian Editor. Work was started that resulted in the translation of parts of the Bible into the Cherokee written language newly invented by Sequoia. Missionary tracts and Hymnals were also translated into Cherokee. Several native Cherokee men became pastors and successfully taught among their own people while some Cherokee women, like Catherine Brown (the first Cherokee convert at Brainerd Mission), became mission schoolteachers. It was also at this time that the Cherokee adapted a national constitution establishing Christian principals to govern their nation.
Artist rendition of Creek Path Cherokee Mission in North Alabama-Roger Miller
Creek Path Cherokee Mission teacher Catherine Brown
portrayed by Cherokee native Pamela Sturgill
By 1838, at the time of their forced removal from native lands, many Cherokee had become Christian. It is reported that the Cherokee sang Christian hymns on their ‘trail of tears’ march to Indian Territory in the west. One of their favorites was ‘Amazing Grace’.
'Trail of Tears'
After their removal the Cherokee quickly established new churches, Christian schools and Seminaries as well as completed the printing of the Bible in the Cherokee language by 1860.
Today, Christianity remains an undeniably vital part of Cherokee heritage and culture.
Copyright 2013 Cherokee Christian Heritage. All rights reserved.
River Crossings Mall
McCaysville, GA
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