Complex sentence: The Rev. Pierre-Jean De Smet, SJ was the first priest to visit the area in 1838 and met with Robidoux and expressed his desire to establish a chapel in his settlement.
Split into simpler sentences: The Rev. Pierre-Jean De Smet, SJ was the first priest to visit the area in 1838. He met with Robidoux and expressed his desire to establish a chapel in his settlement.