The Evangelical Church of Villa de Cos. Reconfiguration of the Religious Field in Northeastern Zacatecas, 1863–1874

Abstract

This article examines the transformation of the religious field in northeastern Zacatecas between 1863 and 1874, focusing on the emergence of Protestantism as a form of religious dissent against Catholic hegemony. Through a qualitative methodological approach, including the analysis of historical sources such as ecclesiastical archives, missionary correspondence, and legal documents, the study explores the interactions between local liberal communities and American Protestant missionaries. The central hypothesis argues that geographical isolation, the absence of a consolidated Catholic presence, and the political context of liberal laws facilitated the spread of new religious knowledge. Key premises include the role of the 1860 Freedom of Worship Law and the translation of the Gospel into Spanish as tools to legitimize Protestantism. The findings conclude that the adoption of Protestantism in the region not only reshaped local religious practices but also challenged traditional power structures, paving the way for emerging religious pluralism in 19th-century Mexico.