St. Francis Catholic Church Dambwa

Is this the house of God? You might ask yourself that question when you first see St. Francis Catholic Church Dambwa. The history of St. Francis Catholic Church Dambwa is deeply intertwined with the growth of the Catholic faith in this part of Livingstone. The church we see today wasn’t always here. The story begins in 1905 with the establishment of the Zambezi Saw Mills compound (ZSM). It was here that the seeds of faith were planted. In 1931, with the guidance of Capuchin Priests, a small Catholic community began to flourish in the Zambezi Sawmill Area. They initially shared a building with a school. The year 1972 marked a turning point. The construction of a dedicated church building began. This new structure was completed in 1974 and officially blessed and opened in 1975 by Bishop Adrian Mung’andu. This marked the official establishment of St. Francis Catholic Church Dambwa as we know it. Today, St. Francis Catholic Church Dambwa stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the local community. It serves as a beacon of faith and a center for spiritual growth. The church continues to thrive under the care of the Divine Word Missionaries (SVDs) embracing the legacy of its humble beginnings.