Religious Change Along the Mexican Border, 1852–1876

Abstract

After the U.S. conquest and annexation of territory north of the Rio Grande River, French clergy who arrived in deep South Texas during the 1850s encountered a large Mexican Catholic population. Due to the critical shortage of clergy in Northeastern Mexico, these priests were drawn into transnational ministry south of the Rio Grande. For decades these clergy prioritized ministry to Mexicans, even in the face of church leaders who faulted them for not privileging Anglo Americans. Political changes in Mexico overturned the Catholic Church's status in that nation and had a significant religious impact in the Rio Grande country during the 1870s. Mexicans on both sides of the border were affected by Liberal policies and the challenge of the first Mexican Protestant congregations.