 Most of the population of the region in earlier decades followed traditional tribal religious practices . However , Roman Catholicism had been known in the area long before its acquisition by the U.S. because of the many French traders who lived and intermarried there . Catholic missionary activity among the Métis expanded greatly in the early 19th century with the Catholic Church becoming particularly established in Saint Paul . Protestantism was rather a much newer phenomenon though some Protestant missionaries had entered the region in the early 19th century as well . The first Protestant church appeared in 1848 ( Market Street Church , Saint Paul ) . The waves of immigration in the 1850s , however , would rapidly make Prostestants the largest religious group . 
 Most of the population of the region in earlier decades followed traditional tribal religious practices . However , Roman Catholicism <a href='been_done' title='1'><mark>had</mark></a> been known in the area long before its acquisition by the U.S. because of the many French traders <a href='null_relcl' title='2'><mark>who</mark></a>lived and intermarried there . Catholic missionary activity among the Métis expanded greatly in the early 19th century with the Catholic Church becoming particularly established in Saint Paul . Protestantism was rather a much newer phenomenon though some Protestant missionaries <a href='been_done' title='3'><mark>had</mark></a> entered the region in the early 19th century as well . The first Protestant church<a href='been_done' title='4'><mark></mark></a> appeared in 1848 ( Market Street Church , Saint Paul ) . The waves of immigration in the 1850s , however , would rapidly make Prostestants the largest religious group . 
Most of the population of da region in earlier decades followed traditional tribal religious practices . However , Roman Catholicism done been known in tdaarea long b4 its acquisition by the U.S. cuz of thdaany French traders lived and intermarried thea . Catholic missionary activity among the Métis expanded greatly in thedarly 19th century with the Catholic Church becoming particularly established in Saint Paul . Protestantism was rather a much newer phenomenon though some Protestant missionaries done entered the region in the daly 19th century as well . The fdat Protestant church been appeared in 1848 ( Market Street Church , Saint Paul ) . The waves of immigration in the 18da , however , would rapidly make Prostestants the largest religious group .