History of Christianity

There was a church presence in the early centuries of the Christian era. Little, if anything, endured following the arrival of Islam. Westerners established an overt presence during the colonial era. Africans from further south also brought the presence of Christ. Today, there is a small Catholic community with a presence in Nouakchott, Atar, Zouerate, Nouadhibou and Rosso.

There is only one legally recognized Protestant church, which is designated for expatriates only. Many African Christians worship in informal fellowships. There are a number of national believers, some of whom meet for worship. For most of these fellowships, all members are of the same ethnicity.