How did the London Missionary Society influence religion in Tuvalu?

The London Missionary Society (LMS) played a pivotal role in the religious transformation of Tuvalu during the 19th century. In the 1860s, Samoan pastors associated with the LMS arrived in the islands, where they were met with an enthusiastic response from the local population.12

This receptivity was largely driven by the islanders' desire for protection and their growing concern over the activities of labor recruiters, who had previously kidnapped hundreds of residents. By providing a new religious framework and a sense of security, the LMS successfully facilitated the spread of Protestant Christianity, which was firmly established throughout the island group by 1900. This influence remains significant today, as the vast majority of the population belongs to the Church of Tuvalu, which evolved from the former Ellice Islands Protestant Church.12