A History of the Catholic Church in the Pacific Northwest, 1743-1983 by Wilfred P. Schoenberg is a monumental 1987 historical volume that provides a comprehensive chronicle of Catholic missionary work, institutional growth, and religious influence across the region. Spanning more than two centuries, the book details everything from the earliest pioneer priests and Native American missions to the establishment of modern dioceses, schools, and hospitals in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Ultimately, it serves as an exhaustive and scholarly reference that captures the profound spiritual and cultural impact of the Catholic faith on the broader frontier development of the Pacific Northwest.

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Some preliminaries: early Catholic influences. 1743-1847 The first resident missionaries. 1838-1841 Peter DeSmet and the Jesuits. 1841-1843 An archbishop for Oregon. 1843-1847 Storm clouds over Oregon. 1847-1849 The sisters come to stay. 1850-1859 A decade of expansion. 1859-1869 The last of the Blanchet years. 1869-1879 Montana's first bishop. 1879-1885 New churches and schools. 1885-1888 Sister of St. Mary of Oregon. 1886-1895 Growing pains. 1896-1905 The great new cathedrals and the chapel cars. 1906-1914 The war years. 1914-1925 Loses and gains. 1920-1930 Depression years. 1930-1941 Mostly about bishops. 1941-1955 The Vatican Council years. 1955-1966 A time of turmoil. 1966-1974 End of an era: the oldest archbishop dies. 1974-1983