Bishop Sundgren

ELCZ History

__The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe (ELCZ) hereafter known as the Church was founded in 1903 through the activities of the Church of Sweden Mission (CSM). The Church was originally administered from Zululand, South Africa.  Bishop Sundgren who died and is buried in Zimbabwe, was responsible for the Swedish Church in Zululand and in the then Rhodesia (Zimbabwe).  The first church constitution was established in 1941, the synodical council and the mission council sharing responsibilities. In 1962 a new constitution was adopted, the church council being responsible for church work, educational and medical work assisted by an educational board and a medical board. The Church became independent in 1962 with the election of the first Bishop responsible for the Church in Zimbabwe (then called Rhodesia). 


At the beginning, mission work was concentrated in the districts of Mberengwa, Gwanda, Beitbridge, Mwenezi and Zvishavane hence the establishment of mission stations at Mnene, Masase, Musume, Masvingo, Chegato, Beitbridge, Majini, Zezani and Mazetese. However, with more urbanisation and relocations, the work of the Church moved to towns and cities including rural areas hence the existence of the Church in urban areas such as Bulawayo, Gwanda. Gweru, Harare, Mutare, Zvishavane and Gokwe.
The ELCZ became a member of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in 1963 when it was then mainly concentrated in the Mberengwa, Gwanda and Beitbridge Districts where its presence was centered on mission stations. However, the Church has since spread throughout the country with strong presence in urban centers.

The oldest mission is Mnene Mission in Mberengwa.  It houses a Primary School, a High School, a Hospital that has been designated a District/referral Hospital, and a Nurses Training School.  Mnene is located on a mission farm which concentrated on cattle rearing and dairy farming to raise income for the Church. Other mission stations are Manama, which houses a High School, Hospital, Bible School and Home Based Care unit; Musume which houses a High School, Hospital, Bible School and  Betseranai Home Based Care unit; Masase which houses a High School and Hospital; Chegato which houses a High School; Zezani which houses a High School and Masvingo which houses a Bible School. The Church runs a total of 16 schools. 
The church also has a youth centre (Njube youth Centre) , Vashandiri centre for women and men's league under construction in Gweru.
Thusanang , Tariro and Betseranai Home Based Care units cater for the needs of HIV and AIDS infected and affected people as well as educating others so as to have an HIV free generation.

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