In September 1926 the new Diocese of Masasi came into being under the leadership of its first Bishop, William Vincent Lucas. It covered an area of more than 100,000 square miles (roughly twice the size of England) and it was at that time situated partly in Tanganyika Territory and partly in Portuguese East Africa. The greater part of the Diocese was untouched by missionary work – the only other missionaries in the Diocese being some Roman Catholic Swiss Benedictines whose main mission stations were at Ndanda and Lukuledi.
Missionary work in this area had started fifty years previously, in 1876, when Bishop Steere had established the freed-slave colony at Mkomaindo, some three miles away from the present Masasi. From that beginning the work had gone forward until in 1926 there were 15 different mission stations or parishes in various stages of development, with forty churches served by ten European and nine African priests, assisted by two African Deacons and 25 other European workers, laymen, Sisters, nurses and teachers, and about 120 African teachers. All the churches, with the exception of that at Masasi, which now attained Cathedral status, were built of wattle and daub, the work of the Africans themselves, furnished and maintained as far as possibly by African effortMajor additions to the Cathedral were made in 1940 when skilled craftsmen erected a ciborium over the high altar and a permanent Bishop’s throne and stalls for eight canons; in addition a new sedilia with a screen behind, communion rails and a new pulpit were erected – in memory of Archdeacon Cornwall.In 1949 a new high altar of local stone was consecrated and work on the fabric was carried out in 1955 when a number of cracks required attention, and again in 1957 when “the corrugated iron sheets of the roof, which had endured for half a century and which had developed sieve-like qualities” were replaced. (Extracted from the History of the Universities Mission to Central Africa, Volumes II and III)
2009 therefore marks the centenary of the Cathedral and we have received a report from the Bishop that both the Cathedral and the Chapter House are in urgent need of restoration and repair. He reports that there are cracks in the walls of the Cathedral which need to be repaired, the roof needs painting to prevent it rusting, gutters need to be fitted to help prevent the flow of water damaging the walls further and the floors of both the chancel and the Chapter House need replacing.The provisional estimate for this work from the Building Department of the Benedictine Foundation at Ndanda is in the region of £5,000 although it seems that this does not include the cost of the paint that would be needed for the roof and we are seeking clarification on this point.
However, we have received various reports over recent years, from a number of European technical experts who have visited the Cathedral that in fact the situation is much worse than indicated from the recent report from the Bishop. THERE ARE SERIOUS CONCERNS THAT THE ACTUAL FOUNDATIONS OF THE CATHEDRAL ARE BEING ERODED BY WATER, AND THERE ARE ALSO INDICATIONS THAT THE WHOLE ROOF NEEDS REPLACING.
The Friends of Masasi have requested further information on these two particular issues, but in the meantime we would like to launch an appeal for the repair work requested by the Bishop to be carried out.The Trustees of the Friends of Masasi propose to “kick-start” this appeal with an initial donation and it is very much hoped that further donations will enable the work to start as soon as possible. The Bishop had hoped that the work could be completed in time for the Centenary celebrations in August of this year, but it is very doubtful whether this will be possible.
If anyone would like to support this appeal it would be appreciated if donations could be made payable to: The Friends of Masasi/Cathedral and Chapter House Restoration Fund.
Please indicate whether Gift Aid can be claimed
