East slope Sierra Nevada communities of the 1850s and ‘60s were isolated from California, especially in the winter months. Thus, certain social developments were a challenge. While folklore describes western frontier outposts as rowdy and bawdy, that was not always the case.
In November 1860 it was announced the Presiding Elder of the Methodist Church from the Sacramento Valley would visit the Honey Lake Valley in late December—a first. However, it is not clear if that preacher ever visited the region. In 1862, the Rev. E. Paddison of the Methodist Church, held a service in Susanville with fourteen people in attendance. From 1862-1864 Honey Lake Valley became part of Nevada Territory District of the Methodist California Conference. In September 1863, the Rev. Richard C. Cardberry was assigned to Susanville, replacing Paddison. By 1868, the Methodist Church was firmly established in the Honey Lake Valley to be followed by Catholics and the Congregational Church.