155: Roman Catholicism first introduced by Portuguese Dominicans
17th Century: French Roman Catholic Priests establish the Church
19th Century: French priest Marie- Joseph Guesdon translates passages of the Gospels into Khmer for use in Catholic liturgy, yet there was minimal
Church growth.
1923: First Christian and Missionary Alliance Protestant missionaries arrive.
American missionary Arthur Hammond begins translating the Bible into Khmer Language
1954: Hammond’s full translation of the Khmer Bible is published
1965: Nearly all Protestant missionaries forced to leave, after Prince Norodom Sihanouk accuses all Americans in Cambodia of working for the CIA.
1970: Foreign missionaries permitted to return after American military ousts Prince Sihanouk form power
1973: Foreign missionaries and national Church leaders hold evangelistic crusades in Phnom Penh.
Intellectuals begin turning to Christianity. Hose Churches established throughout phnom penh, Most led by lay workers. Major Taing Chhirc, General Secretary of the Cambodia Evangelical Church, appeals to foreign missionary groups to send personnel to help the Cambodian Church with new converts.
1975: Khmer Rouge attack Phnom Penh; foreign missionaries flee, leaving behind an
Estimated 10,000 Khmer Christians; Major Taing Chhirc is executed by the
Khmer Rouge. Most other Christina leaders are also exterminated. Two pastors SurvivedJustify Full
1975-79: An estimated 9,000 Christians ( up to 90% of the Protestant Church in the Country) perish during the Pol Pot years, some through execution, most Through malnutrition and sickness
1980-88: Christianity remains illegal. Khmer Church is fragmented after Pol pot Years and has little chance to regroup. Christians must meet in secret.
1990: Christianity is formally legalized.
1992: Christianity relief agencies return. Churches are re-established.
1993: Prince Sihanouk returns and is crowned king. A new constitution enshrines Religious freedom
June 10, 1996: Khmer Christian leaders claim Protestants now number an estimated 6,000 members
2003: Protestant estimates now number 80,000.