How was Christianity made appealing to pagan idol worshippers?
In order to increase the number of Christian converts, Christian
missionaries deliberately adopted pre-existing pagan holy places,
shrines, special days and even pagan statues of God.
Pope Gregory I (540-604 CE), a famous Christian leader encouraged
accomodating pagan customs and beliefs. So if pagans worshipped a
Tree or Spirit abiding in it, rather than shun the pagan worship,
he urged priests to somehow link the worship to Jesus Christ, and
allow them to continue their Tree or pagan idol worship.