Catholic Diocese of Gweru

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St Mary's Serima Mission

St Mary's Serima Mission

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Physical Address: Box 42, Chatsworth
Postal Address: Box 42, Chatsworth
Year of Establishment: ....
Phone Number: +263 39 2308158
Web: https://catholicdioceseofgweru.co.zw/

St Mary's Serima Mission

The mission was establised ......

Mission Profile

To be a Catholic Church living in communion and participating in the Mission of Christ for the salvation of all.

Serima Mission – Diocese of Gweru

Father John Groeber of the Swiss Bethlehem Mission Society arrived in Rhodesia on Sept.13 1939. Before he founded Serima Mission ,previously an outpost of Driefontein , he was stationed on the following missions: Driefontein ,Silveira ,St Benedict’s ,St Joseph’s (Chilimanzi) ,Gokomere Fort Victoria and again , for a short spell in preparation for Serima ,at Driefontein. While in Silveira he first encouraged school boys in drawing, modelling and carving. In April 1948 he moved to Serima where he was given the opportunity to plan and design and build up a new central mission. In 1967 he retired to Driefontein devoting most of his time to art work with African students until he died on June 21 1972. He was buried on 24 June 1972 at Serima Mission. Serima Mission was started by Fr Groeber in 1948. Father Groeber was born in 1903 in Besel , Switzerland. He came to Zimbabwe by then Rhodesia in 1939. Serima Mission lies 20km off the Main road from Mvuma to Masvingo. He was given full freedom to build up a new Mission in Serima according to his plans. It is well known for the art which was done by Father Groeber. How the Church was constructed according to notes left by Fr Groeber 1955 200 000 bricks formed, burnt and ready for building. 1956 12.2 After Sunday Mass, Chief Serima turns the first sod. 11.4 All foundation work finished. 19.4 Start with brick work. 24.5 Blessing of foundation stone by Bishop A.Haene 17.11 All timber work on main roof finished. 25.12 First Holy Mass in the unfinished church. 1957 20.3 All roofing finished. 24.5 Ceiling over central have finished; Sanctuary now free of all scaffolding. 1958 12.7 All carved beams are placed around the windows. 1959 27.10 Top slab of belfry cast. 18.12 Carved beams with crucifix put up in Sanctuary. 1960 17.1 Blessed Sacrament transferred from old chapel into the new church. 24.1 Blessed and hoisting of church bell, first rung by Bishop A.Haene. Products of Fr Groeber who became successful in Art. Cornelio Manguma (Sinyoro) 1935 from Matizha , Serima TTL. Entered Serima Primary School in 1952 (Std .3) Afterwards joined the first permanent team of carvers at Serima. Did competent work in the church like St Peter’s Statue at the entrance and the big crucifix in the sanctuary. Now in charge of the Caving School at Driefontein Mission. Gabriel Hatugari 1938, from Chaka , Chilimanzi TTL In Serima classmate of Cornelio Manguma (Sinyoro). Joined likewise, after Primary School, the first team of carvers. For Serima church he did Our Lady’s statue and wall paintings in central nave. He also did the murals in the church at Mapiravana. (Chilimanzi) At present employed by the Welfare Department in Mucheke Township, Fort Victoria. Training boys in woodwork and carving. Ernest Bhere 1940, from Buhera In Serima 1957 – 1961.Did a number of carvings for the church, particularly figures of angels and saints on the window beams. Now self-employed as a Carver ,working in Bulawayo. Priests who have worked at Serima Mission from 1948 to present Fr John Groeber SMB Fr Antony Fischer SMB Fr Inglin Fr Galvin Fr Weber Fr Francis Mugadzi later Bishop Fr J Jakata Fr Jos Christen Fr Wyss Fr Augustine Urayai Fr Werlen Fr X Marimazhira Fr J Geisser Fr K Mavhima Fr X Mungonyani who later became Bishop Fr A Stoffel Fr J Bennet Fr P Peng Fr F Masanganise Fr E Mbovani Phiri Fr J P Mambo Fr M Kudezera Fr P Chapwanya Fr D Muguti Fr C Muchingami Fr K Musvevereki The congregation of Sisters to work at Serima Mission are the Maryward Sisters. They were working as nurses and as teachers at the Secondary School. After they left the local congregation started by Bishop Haene SMB.The Sisters of the Child Jesus, they are still serving to the present. They work in the hospital and in the school as teachers. The Mission is divided into three sections, that is the Church where the villagers come to church for their spiritual nourishment. The School is a boarding facility for students from all over the country. They are mixed, both girls and boys. The Mission also has a 52 bed Clinic which serves a catchment area of 9000 households. Fr J Groeber had an art Workshop which produced the likes of Cornelio Manguma who specialised in Christian art.

Leadership

Motto

Rev. Fr. Victor Musendeke

Priest in Charge

Rev. Fr. Bepura Farai

Assistant Priest