[2] Maharaja Dhurup Singh, the ruler of the Bettiah Raj, developed a close friendship with Italian Capuchin missionary priest Joseph Mary Bernini, who practiced medicine and faith healing, as well as being fluent in Hindustani and Sanskrit.

[11] Raja Dhurup Singh donated 16 hectares of land, which became known as the Christian Quarters, to the Roman Catholic missionaries of the Capuchin Order.

"[2] As such, he returned to his "beloved Bettiah" and Raja Dhurup Singh provided Bernini and his fellow priests the wood to erect a church there.

[2] During this event at which most of the citizens of Bettiah were present, Raja Dhurup Singh participated and provided musicians who played outside the church compound.

[2] On 15 January 1761, Joseph Mary Bernini, who had stayed at the Bettiah Christian Mission for the remainder of his life, died and his body was said to produce the odour of sanctity.

[2] The East India Company generally viewed the Italian Capuchins with suspicion and in the 1760s, harassed and imprisoned them for several months; that being said, some individual Englishmen were fond of the Bettiah Christians and financially supported them, and "extended Government help for the care of orphans.

[13] Khrist Raja High School, established in 1922, has been widely attended by members of the Bettiah Christian Indian community too.

[7] The Sisters of the Sacred Heart was founded in Bettiah in 1926, with the religious order focusing on service in villages; it has established several schools.

The attendance of the Raja's court along with the Hindus, seems to be the beginning of a beautiful practice in religious harmony and dialogue still in vogue at Bettiah church.

Every year at Christmas and on Good Friday, hundreds of non-Christians, particularly Hindus, largely in family groups, visit the church and offer prayers both inside it and at the shrine of Mother Mary, outside.

[7] Adherents of other faiths often visit the churches of the Bettiah Christians and pray there, especially at the grotto containing a statue of Mother Mary.

[7] Educational opportunities fueled the migration of some Bettiah Christians to other urban centres of northern colonial India.