Diocese of Kohima comprises of the whole state of Nagaland and is named after its capital. It is situated in Northeast Eastern part of India, sharing the international border with Mynmar. The inhabitants, belonging to the 16 major tribes and other sub tribes of Mangoloid race, are collectively called Nagas. Each tribe is unique with its own dialect, customs, traditions, attire, etc., and they possess commonness in many cultural aspects too.

The history of Christianity in Nagaland began in Nagaland with the American Baptists stationed in Upper Assam extending their mission into the hills. By 1905, there were about 500 Christians among Nagas.

The mission of the Catholic Church in December 1948, when the Sisters of Missionaries of Christ Jesus along with Monsignor Emmanuel Bars, sdb, arrived in Kohima at the request of then the Govenor of Assam, Sir. Akbar Hydari to Bishop Stephan Ferrando for their services in the newly established Civil Hospital at Kohima.

Msgr. Emmanuel Bars, the first Catholic Priest to reside in Kohima arrived along with the sisters on 29th December 1948. There were strict restrictions on works of evangelization. The missionaries later recollect that they used to bury holy medals as they visited villages and places hoping for the growth of the Catholic faith. Sure enough, that was symbolic and prophetic action towards the steady growth of the Catholic faith in Kohima region.

The initial Catholic contacts in Nagaland took place at another end of the state simultaneously. That was at Lakhuti, bordering the state of Assam. Towards the north and closer to the Assam plains, work was in progress to take the Catholic faith to the Lotha tribe. A group of Lothas invite Catholic priests from Golaghat Mission centre to open a mission at Lakhuti. The first contact, as remembered, was in 1950 when Fr.Bollini was visited by five elders from Lukhuti village. There was great opposition from the villagers against these who related themselves to the Catholic priests. However their zeal grew over the opposition. Their determination took shape as they built a small hut where they held the first religious service on May 1st 1951.

The new members ofhere have been various measures taken by many to prevent the people from becoming Catholics. Payment of fine, ousting from the villages, imprisonment, etc were regular events. Interestingly, the threats proved no threat but a help in strengthening the Catholic Church in the long run. They only form of Christianity, then the Nagas had been open to, was the one preached by the American Baptists. Naturally it was difficult for some to accept a new church in their midst.