One of the great untold stories of Oklahoma—and American—history. The courageous Christian missionaries who came west before, after, and on the Trail of Tears, serving, teaching, loving, and sacrificing and sometimes dying for the Natives who themselves would serve as the cornerstone for a great American state.
Join John and KTOK/iHeartRadio star Gwin Faulconer-Lippert and learn the awe-inspiring saga of the early Indian Territory missionaries. It’s the 72nd episode of our original l OKLAHOMA GOLD! radio program and podcast. Thank you Atwoods Stores for making it possible! Go HERE to listen to them all! Future episodes explore more great heroes, events, and movements of Oklahoma History.
https://youtu.be/C7NQ_JsgimEAnn Eliza Worcester Robertson, perhaps the greatest of the legendary Oklahoma family dynasty of Worcester women. She translated the entire New Testament into the Muskogee Creek language.
Indian Territory missionary Cyrus Kingsbury, “The Prince of Indian Territory Missionaries,” who personally began the first Christian missionary efforts to both the Cherokees and the Choctaws, and the Southern Presbyterian Church’s first mission effort of any kind.
Indian Territory missionary Jerusalem Swain who labored for years 2,000 miles from her home as a single white female missionary to the Cherokees.
A map covering roughly the eastern half of modern day Oklahoma and charting early day Indian Territory missions.
Wheelock Church, built in the mid-1840s by Choctaw Presbyterian missionary, preacher, physician, educator, and translator Rev. Alfred Wright, his wife Harriett, and their congregation. The sturdy stone structure houses Oklahoma’s oldest still-functioning church building. Courtesy Rhys Martin. (https://rhysfunk.wordpress.com)
Many thanks to Atwoods Stores, a farm and ranch supply company based in Enid, Oklahoma, for their support of the Red River Institute of History and OKLAHOMA GOLD! Please support them as you are able! Wherever you are, you can order online from thousands of quality products on their terrific website HERE. Atwoods also has 66 stores in 5 states: Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. In addition to farm and ranch supplies, Atwoods stores sell clothing, lawn and garden items, tools, hardware, automotive supplies, sporting goods, pet supplies, firearms, and seasonal items.
Read the full story at Indian Territory Missionaries - Podcast,
from Oklahoma History, with John Dwyer