With the Louisiana Purchase and the War of 1812 winding down, on April 30, 1812, Louisiana gained statehood. Presbyterians were planting churches in Mississippi and looking into possibilities in Louisiana. When the United States assumed possession of this portion of Louisiana, troops were stationed in Baton Rouge. William McCalla, a Presbyterian minister, was assigned as chaplain to the Army around 1815. Reverend McCalla found that no sermon had been preached in this area in the English language and invited citizens to worship with the soldiers on Sundays. Many came to hear his message. After he was reassigned, missionaries from Mississippi continued to preach.
