With expanding Irish, Swiss, French, and German immigrant populations, the state of Indiana evolved from individual explorers, trappers, hunters, and traders into family-focused communities of farmers and craftsmen. Emerging from the former Indiana Territory, the state's early population was in need of education, health care, and social services to assist young families, the poor, the infirm, and the elderly. These needs were frequently met by Catholic religious orders, including the Benedictines, Sisters of Providence, Franciscans, Daughters of Charity, and other established organizations of dedicated religious men and women.

With expanding Irish, Swiss, French, and German immigrant populations, the state of Indiana evolved from individual explorers, trappers, hunters, and traders into family-focused communities of farmers and craftsmen. Emerging from the former Indiana Territory, the state's early population was in need of education, health care, and social services to assist young families, the poor, the infirm, and the elderly. These needs were frequently met by Catholic religious orders, including the Benedictines, Sisters of Providence, Franciscans, Daughters of Charity, and other established organizations of dedicated religious men and women.

Presents the history of religion in Indiana, surveying the history of more than 50 denominations and religious groups in Indiana from pioneer days. This book includes sections on Jews, Muslims, Shakers, Rappites, Mennonites, Pentecostals, Mormons, Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses and others, who contributed to Indiana's religious heritage.

It can be tough to be different. Children growing up in a religious community are separated from the rest of the world in some way or another, either by what they wear, their rituals, what they are not allowed to eat or do, or else by not mixing at all with those outside the community. These families have many strengths, and can give their children a strong emotional foundation on which to build their own lives, but they also have their own set of challenges. The families in this book have dealt with some of these challenges. Whether or not these families' children grow up and remain a part of the community, their experiences will always be with them.