Background Summary

In 1953 a plot was purchased and the cottage was turned into a church. “Since 1954 Fr. James Wallace from the Seminary said Mass in Sinoia once a month” (Sinoia). Already in February 1948 Fr. Kotzki had applied for a school in the location, (Box 135/4) “Early in January 1949 a sixth out school was started at Sinoia, 45 miles away from Kutama.” Since 4.12.1957 Fr. John Caraman forged with the Station Master and built the residence in Sinoia in 1958 which he occupied in November 1958. This, together with a debt of ES 400, was taken over on 1.10.1959 by Fr. Otto to become the headquarters of the new mission. Fr. Brosig from Gatooma joined him on 21.11.59. In March 1960 Fr. Zinkann arrived.

Several Catholic schools were started. At the beginning of 1962, there were: St. Peter’s Chinhoyi (1949), St. Nicholas, Karereshi, Urungwe (1949/52), St Cecilia, Magondi (1961), St. Kunto’s Obva (1961) St. Augustin Chiroti, Urungwe (blessed 29.962), St. Gabriel’s Chiki, Urungwe (started in 1963), and Heketh Park Farm school (19627). Other outstations were Karol, Banket, Darwindale, Trelawney, and Raffingora.

The old church in Sinoia was demolished in April 1965 and replaced under Fr. Raab, by the new Corpus Christi Church (now the Cathedral) blessed on 1.12 1965. Early in 1970, a home craft school was opened. Together with the new convent, it was blessed on 28.6.1970. The township of Chinhoyi became quite large and the church of St Peter’s, begun by Fr. Huwe, was blessed on 179.1972. When another township sprang up, also in Chikonohono, a church was built there in 1985 and was named Musha weBethania.

After the death of Sr. Thomasina in a car accident, the Italian Sisters of Charity took over the Homecraft School in 1975.

The old St. Peter’s classrooms were renovated and turned into a Pastoral Centre, used first on 25.3.1977. Also, a large hall was started in 1977 and completed in February 1978. Towards the end of the war, in 1978 Chinhoyi Rural Training Centre was started. In February 1980 Br Simon took over the center from Br. Adamson and developed it greatly. From 1985-88 Br. Mapuranga added an Automechanic Department. On 25 August 1992, the new noviciate of the RSHM in Chikonohano was blessed. In 1986, Fr. Freyer started a home for the elderly destitute people: Chengetanai, 40 to 50 people find food and shelter there. In June 1996 Fr. Chitimbe, a diocesan priest took over the parish.

Parish Priests: Fr. Brosig 1959-Febr.1964, Fr. Raab 1.3.1964-66, Msgr Reckter 1967-69, Fr. Raab 1970-71, Fr. Kranz 25.3.-19.12.1971, Fr. Petrausch 1972-73, Fr. Landsberg 1974-78, Fr. Huwe 19.7.1978-79, Fr. Ulbnch 1980-82, Fr. Chidavaenzi Oct. 1981-15.12.1985, Fr. V. Walter 2.10.81-85, Fr. Mangan 86-8.8.88 Fr. Freyer 1989-93, Fr. KF Schmidt June 1993-95,

Diocesan Priests: Fr. Chitimbe (VG) June 1996-31.03.2000, Fr. Jonga (VG) 31.03.2000-15.05.03; Fr. Chiona PP 7.3.2002-(05)