During 1830, Baptist minister James Bourne began visiting Mullins River and Stann Creek.

In November 1834, Methodists Thomas Jefferies and John Greenwood had arrived in Mullins River, and by 1836, had a chapel and school.

The Creoles resided in Belize Town and maintained small plantations at Mullins River, which they visited occasionally.

[4] In 1840, Apolonia Mejia brought to Mullins River from the Shrine of Nuestro Señor de Esquipulas in southern Guatemala the image of the crucified black Christ.

Mullins River, navigable by dory for some 25 miles, afforded “a natural highway to the virgin lands at the back as well as for sending down the produce.”[6] The town served also as a playground for many Belize City folk during the vacation months of March through May.”