After an initial attempt to set up a mission near Walcott Inlet by Dr. John Yule had been abandoned by the lay missionaries who followed, Robert and Frances Wilson, owing to lack of fresh water at the site, a fresh site was sought.

Love was in important figure in the history of the mission, although he was away from the outbreak of World War I in 1914, when he enlisted in the First Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.)

In the meantime, Kumunya experienced crop failures, and after deliberations among the various groups, they all relocated in 1951 to Wotjulum, near Yampi Sound, about 130 kilometres (80 mi) south-west of Port George, near Coppermine Estuary.

The three men attributed to founding the Mowanjum Community are Albert Barunga, Alan Mungulu and David Mowaljarlai.

Mowanjum includes people from three main language groups: Between 300 and 500 people reside at Mowanjum Community depending on seasonal conditions in surrounding language group areas.

In 2002 community administrator John Oster and MASWAC compiled a business plan to build a gallery-museum at Mowanjum.

Wandjina artists since the formation of MASWAC include Donny Woolagoodja, Mabel King, Gordon Barunga, Sandra Mungulu and Leah Umbagai, while prior to MASWAC, there were Wattie Karrawarra, Jack Wheera, Charlie Numblemoore, Alan Mungulu, David Mowaljarlai, Sam Woolagoodja, Spider Burgu, Paddy Morlumbun, Guduwola Mungulu and Pudjuwola Barunga.