All Glory to God!

Over a Century of Service

A Brief History of How We Began

Holy Rosary Indian Mission was founded in 1884. The majority of Choctaw Tribe had been removed to the Indian Territory in Oklahoma, but some remained behind refusing to leave their ancestral land. They lived in abject poverty and endured severe trials. The Church raised funds to purchase land where Choctaw tribal members could come and live safely. Each family was given land and a cabin and the tools to raise crops for food. At one time the mission owned over 2,000 acres and over 1,000 Choctaws lived on “mission land”. When the Bureau of Indian Affairs discovered that so many Choctaws remained in Mississippi, an Indian agent was appointed. Holy Rosary Indian Mission gave all but 100 acres of the mission land in Trust for the needs of the Choctaw people. What is now the Tucker Community and part of the Pearl River and Conehatta Communities of the reservation were once “mission land.” Today 10,000 Choctaw tribal members live on 35,000 acres located in ten different counties in Mississippi.

A Brief History of How We Began

More than 131 years ago, our church was the first to respond to the needs of the Choctaw people. We bought land, built houses, provided tools and seeds, and invited them to come. Little by little, the Choctaw community began to flourish. Much of what is presently known as the Tucker Community and the Pearl River Communities were once “Mission Lands” of our church. When the Government finally recognized the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the church gave them the land, on the condition that it will always be used for the Choctaw people.