In 1833, missionary efforts had prepared the region around eastern Lake Erie and southwestern Lake Ontario for the growth of the Church. In the summer of that year, the Evening and Morning Starpublished letters from various missionaries that described the prosperous conversion efforts in the area where Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were proselytizing. Sylvester Smith reported that 15 churches had been established between Kirtland, Ohio, and Chenango, New York, some of which were composed of nearly 100 members. Missionaries were also successfully proselytizing in southwestern New York. Amasa Lyman traveled to nearby Cattaraugus County, New York, in 1833. There he held 152 meetings and saw 100 souls added to the Church.