“A shift from a dilapidated mud structure to a permanent structure is a testimony that Holy Cross is indeed [in] a work of resurrection,” Rev. Innocent Mwesigwa, C.S.C., the pastor of St. Felista Parish in Utegi, Musoma-Tanzania, said when construction of a new church building was completed at the parish’s outstation, Mangore. After breaking ground on September 13, 2023, construction of Mangore Chapel reached completion in June of 2024.
It is indeed a sign of new life, symbolic of the vivacity of the Spirit, which has been infusing the area.
The St. Felista community has experienced a striking surge in Catholics, resulting in a faith community of over 400 people, with more being added regularly as children are born into it.
Yet, when the Holy Cross Mission Center (HCMC) was approached for funding in 2023, the Mangore outstation was in no suitable condition to house such a large number—or anyone—safely. “The building, though dilapidated, accommodates 150. It is just a quarter that manages to squeeze itself in and endure the heat,” Fr. Innocent reported at the time the request was made. “The current state of [the] Mangore outstation church building is dire. It is a mud house with multiple cracks that are repaired time and again. It is just waiting for the right time to collapse…”
Thankfully, through the help of generous donors, the HCMC was able to provide funds for the construction of a new church building in order to give the local faithful a decent place for worship.
Assisting in this work of resurrection were many parishioners, including some who were directly employed to help with the project. The Assistant Chairperson of the parish counsel served as the contractor throughout the project. A parishioner noted that the project was helping him to provide the basic necessities for his family with ease; he was helped at the construction site by several young people from the parish. The welder for the project who, Fr. Innocent says was “delighted to be given the opportunity to weld widows and pipes for roofing,” is a graduate from the parish’s youth camp and current parishioner. Several female parishioners became involved as well; Fr. Innocent said, “The women group in Mangore got the opportunity of preparing meals for the builders. They made a living throughout the construction period.”
But just as life in community is not without challenges, so too did this community project involve several challenges. During the excavation work for the foundation, a rocky ground was encountered which required technical assistance in order to remove. The project also faced delays with receiving approval from the district engineer, was delayed further by heavy rains, and needed to be extended due to the time (21 days) it took for several beams to set before work could proceed. However, Fr. Innocent consistently remained hopefully optimistic, viewing the problems that arose as but “momentary.”
At the completion of the project, Fr. Innocent reflected, “A shift from a mud church building, on the verge of collapse, to a permanent structure is a remarkable achievement.”
“The project has had a positive impact on Mangore Catholic Community,” he said further. “Since construction began, the Catholic community in Mangore has grown exponentially. The community has grown in faith and their love towards the Church and prayer is increasing… With [the Holy Cross] Mission Center’s support, the community boasts of having a decent place of worship.”
Published by Paula Lent, Holy Cross Mission Center Office Coordinator
July 2025
