Final answer:
Christian missionaries, particularly those from the Roman Catholic Church and later Protestant groups, established schools and spread Christianity in Europe and worldwide. Pope Gregory the Great and the Jesuits were influential in these efforts, with the Jesuits known for educating young men and converting non-Christians.
Step-by-step explanation:
Throughout history, various Christian groups have played significant roles in the establishment of schools and the spread of Christianity in Europe and beyond. During the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, the Roman Catholic Church had a significant influence, with the Vatican in Rome exercising considerable power and control, including the establishment of educational institutions. After the Protestant Reformation began with Martin Luther's reforms in 1517, Protestant groups including Calvinists and Anglicans, as well as Catholic missionaries, continued to found schools and convert populations.
One of the pivotal figures in the early missionary work was Pope Gregory the Great, who sent monks such as Augustine of Canterbury to convert peoples, like the Anglo-Saxons, to Christianity. These missionaries were often supported by Christian rulers whose conversion aided the broader dissemination of Christian beliefs and the establishment of schools and churches.
In the context of the Roman Catholic reformation, the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits, established by Ignatius of Loyola, became especially known for their dedication to the education of young men and missionary work. They played a particular role in converting non-Christians to Roman Catholicism and advising European rulers. Notably, Jesuits and other missionary orders established schools as a means to educate and convert, emphasizing the intertwining of religion and education.