Background Summary

The early history of St. Kizito’s Gangarahwe-Murombedzi is the same as that of Kutama Mission. On 16.8.1910 the ANC of Lomagundi replied to Fr. Richartz: “In reply to your letter of application for a Mission site at Rombedzi’s Kraal, in Zwimba Reserve, in this district, I have the honour to inform you that, if you so desire, a Mission may be established in terms of the printed form attached hereto.”(Box 134/1) After a trial period, Fr. Richartz applied in 1912 for the leases of Murombedzi and Kutama (together with Magaya in Mrewa), which were granted. Murombedzi outstation started first, under Patrick Chinatsa. When St. Kizito was established in May 1963 under Fr. Gilbert Modikayi who was then a diocesan priest, took over the outschools of Kawondera (1935), Mhandu (1947), Katsvamutima (1951), Mareverwa (1951), St. Ignatius-Matoranjera (1954), Mabvure (1957), Zowa (1958), Dzingwe (1959) and Maramasimbe (1961). Fr. Modikayi and four LCBL Sisters first lived in Murombedzi school. In August 1963, a lease of five acres was granted (Mr. Chifamba offered his field). Title deeds were granted on 9.8.1989, after Murombedzi was declared a “Growth-point” (Kizito p.5). In July 1964 a borehole was drilled, yielding 200 gal per hour. In August 1964 plans were made for a priest’s house and a convent and building started. In July 1966, Fr. Regis Chigwedere, a diocesan priest, took over. (Fr Modikayi joined the Society of Jesus on 7.9.1966) He built the new Church which was blessed on 10.12.1967 by Archbishop Markall. On 16.12.1973, the first outstation church was opened at Mabvure, St. Joseph. On 22.02.1974 the Prefecture Apostolic was erected and Zvimba joined the Prefecture. On 25.08.1974 Bishop Lamont of Mutare ordained Ignatius Mhonda in St. Kizito, his home parish. Fr. Chigwedere retired to the Archdiocese after 9 years as parish priest in St Kizito. On 15.11.1974 Fr. Ignatius Chidavaenzi (diocesan) became parish priest, assisted by Fr. Friedrich SJ. In 1976 the foundations for a steel construction for the hall were laid, and the roof construction followed in 1977, but it was finished only in 1978 by Fr. Schmidt. On 3.10.1976 the church at Makunda was blessed, St. Theresa. A catechist was stationed at Mabvure (Mr. Songore) as well as in Makunda (Mr. A. Mberengwa). In April 1979 they were appointed extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist. In March 1977 Fr, Friedrich went to Kariba for six months. When Fr. Chidavaenzi went on study-leave in Europe in October 1977, Fr. K. F. Schmidt became parish priest. In 1978, he finished the parish hall and an ablution block as well as a kitchen. Br. Gattung and later Br. Simon helped with the electrification of the whole mission. St. Kizito had 23 outstations with about 6000 Catholics. On 25.06.1978 St. Patrick’s Nyachowe was blessed. On 13.07.1978 the former catechist Edward Chirambaguva and his son Philip were murdered. After this, on 15.7.1978, the priests had to move to Sinoia. But the Sisters and the catechists remained at their places. Fr. Schmidt continued his work in the parish. Since Oct. 1979 Br. Mapuranga, who had to leave Chitsungo, helped him until he could return to Chitsungo in 1980. During Fr. Schmidt’s leave (February 1980-29.4.80) Fr. Hancko supplied. During 1981 a parish social centre was built. It is of great help for many activities in the parish. During December 1982 Fr. Landsberg joined St. Kizito’s staff. By May 1983 the extension of the parish house was completed. On 1.11.1984, the newly ordained priest Fr. E. H. Mushawasha came to assist the parish priest; Fr. Landsberg went to Mutorashanga. In 1987 Fr. Thomas Jackson succeeded Fr. Schmidt, Fr. Mushawasha went to Mhangura. On 2.09.1989 Francis Mabiri was ordained in St. Kizito. At the end of 1990 Fr. Jackson went to Kutama (He had assisted at over 200 marriages in four years!). Fr. Schmidt returned, assisted by Fr. Collen Zhuwawo, but the latter was brutally murdered on 31.07.1991 (he may have surprised thieves in the chicken run). On 28.09.1991 Frederick Mabiri, a cousin of R. Mugabe, was ordained at St. Kizito’s Parish. On 09.12.1991 Fr. Protasio Banda came to help in St Kizito’s. There are churches at: St. Joseph’s Mabvure (1973), St. Theresa’s Makunda (1975), St. Henry’s Zowa (1975), St. Pamck’s Nyachowe (1977), St. James Murindagomo (1978), SL. Ferdinand’s Matorahadza (1986), Shumbayaonda (1988), St. Ignatius Matoranjera (1992). Parish priests Fr. Modikayi 1963-66, Fr. Chigwedere 1966-74, Fr. Chidavaenzi 1974-77, Fr. K.F. Schmidt 1977-86, Jackson 1987-90, KF Schmidt 1991-93, R. Armstrong 9.6.93-1998, diocesan: Banda 1999- 15.9.2000, Fr. D. Mwanza 15.9.2000-Jan 2004, Fr. Gille SJ 2004-(06), Fr. Majiga 2024.

Centers

1. St. Kizito – Murombedzi	2. St. Christine – Madzorera	3. St. Michael – Shumbayaonda
4. St. Agnes – Chirau Hall	5. St. James – Murindagomo	6. St. Peter – Mhandu
7. St. Geralds – Jari	8. St. Paul – Mareverwa	9. St. Dominic – Jokwani
10. St. Henry – Zowa	11. St. Mary – Guzha	12. St. Francis – Chinyabowa
13. St. Charles Lwanga – Mashonganyika	14. St. Ferdinard – Matorabadza	15. St. Patrick – Nyachowe
16. St. Joseph – Mabvure	17. St. Theresa – Makunda	18. St. Emilia – Mboma
19. St. Ephraim – Kutsvamutima	20. St. Matthew – Dzikamidzi	21. St. Ignatius – Matoranjera
22. St. Gilbert Kasanze –