THE BEGINNING OF THE WESTERN TANZANIA MORAVIAN CHURCH - TABORA (UNYAMWEZI)

Missionary work in Unyamwezi was officially established in 1898 at Urambo by missionaries Edmund Dahls, Konrad Meiers, and later Rudolf Sterns from Surinam as missionary and leader (Superintendent).

Early History and London Missionary Society (LMS)

This mission was first established by the London Missionary Society (LMS) in 1878. However, their evangelistic work faced challenges due to political unrest, lack of harmony among missionaries, social-cultural differences with locals, and German colonial rule from 1890/91.

Transition to the Moravian Church

Due to the above challenges, LMS handed over their missionary activities to the Moravian Church in 1896/1897. Formal negotiations began in April 1894 in Germany between the Herrnhut Mission Board and LMS.

Early Challenges

The first Moravian service was attended by 500-600 people. Attendance declined quickly, and missionaries noted challenges including gifts dependency, witchcraft interference, and youth leaving for evangelism.

Mission Expansion

Moravian missionaries established new missions in Kitunda (1901), Sikonge (1902), Ipole (1903), Kipambawe (1904), and Usoke (1905). Travel was difficult: Urambo to Kipambawe took 17 days on foot.

First Baptism

The first baptism took place on April 12, 1903, at Kitunda Mission with Yohanes Kipamila and his wife Maria Kipamila becoming the first baptized Moravians in Unyamwezi.