* We want people to know where the story began, to appreciate the contribution that Blantyre Mission has made to Malawi, and to imagine together what our responsibility is for the next 150 years
* On this day, we want our young people in particular to hear the stories that have shaped our country
* We want them to understand that history is not merely something found in books — history is also found in buildings, places, communities, institutions and memories
By Duncan Mlanjira
In commemorating the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Blantyre Mission’s 150th Anniversary of its existence that was announced on Thursday, the young citizenry and old alike have been invited to a guided tour its historic heritage of its estate at Henry Henderson Institute (HHI) on October 23.
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This is part of the Sesquicentennial celebration from October 23-25 under the theme; ‘150 Years of Blantyre Mission: Remembering the Past, Celebrating God’s Faithfulness, Transforming the Future’.
Co-chairperson of the organising committee, Rev. Dr. Takuze Chitsulo stated that the celebrations have been carefully designed around three movements: remembering the history; street parade and giving thanks to God for His blessings to achieve the 150 years milestone.
“We want the celebrations to be meaningful, visible and inclusive,” said Rev. Chitsulo at a press briefing held at the Blantyre Mission yesterday.
“We want people to know where the story began, to appreciate the contribution that Blantyre Mission has made to Malawi, and to imagine together what our responsibility is for the next 150 years.”
Rev Chitsulo (3rd from right) at the unveiling of the Sesquicentennial celebrations
He thus unveiled that on Friday, October 23, Blantyre Mission will be open for the guided heritage tour of historical sites to appreciate the story of its establishment and development, and see some of the historic buildings and places that bear witness to the Mission’s 150-year journey.
“This will not simply be a tourist visit — It will be a journey into the history of Malawi. On this day, we want our young people in particular to hear the stories that have shaped our country.
“We want them to understand that history is not merely something found in books but history is also found in buildings, places, communities, institutions and memories.
“The Blantyre Mission site reminds us that on 23rd October 1876, Henry Henderson and the missionary party identified the site that would become Blantyre Mission.
“The Mission was named Blantyre after David Livingstone’s birthplace in Scotland, and the modern city subsequently grew around the Mission.
“We, therefore, want the people of Blantyre and Malawi — especially the youth — to rediscover this heritage.”
On the Sesquicentennial parade, Rev. Chitsulo stated that this second part “may also be referred to as the Jesus March, because the walk is ultimately a public witness to our faith in Jesus Christ and to the Church’s calling to serve society”.
“People will gather from different parts of Blantyre and surrounding areas and walk towards the main celebration venue at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) Sports Complex.
“We see this walk as having a deeper meaning. For 150 years, the story of Blantyre Mission has been connected with the religious, educational, social, economic and political development of Malawi.
HHI off Chileka Road. (Picture credit: M.Torres)
“The Mission became a centre of Christian witness, education, literacy, agriculture, commerce and skills development.
“Its schools produced generations of educated Malawians, while its wider missionary enterprise became involved in the social and economic transformation of the country.
“The walk will therefore symbolically retrace that journey. We will walk from our different communities, but we will walk towards one place.
“We will walk as people of different generations; we will walk as Christians and peoples of other faiths; we will walk as people from different political parties.
“And we will walk as professionals, business people, farmers, students, teachers, health workers, clergy, traditional leaders and ordinary citizens.
We will walk as Malawians — with a message: Blantyre Mission is part of the beginning of a story that became much bigger than the Mission itself.”
He highlighted that the story that began at the Mission contributed to the emergence of Blantyre as a major urban and commercial centre and became intertwined with the development of southern Malawi and the nation as a whole.
“Historical accounts describe Blantyre Mission as becoming a centre of Christianity, commerce, education and agriculture, while the modern city grew around the Mission.
“Our Sesquicentennial Walk will, therefore, be a celebration of heritage, unity, faith, service and national identity.”
The climax of the three-day celebrations will take place on Sunday, October 25th at the KUHeS Sports Complex for a grand 150 Years Thanksgiving Service — to bring everything together; to remember the past; and to celebrate the contribution of generations of Malawians.
“But above all, we will celebrate God’s faithfulness and we will commit the future into the hands of God. The Thanksgiving Service will be a national celebration rather than an event exclusively for one denomination.
“We are, therefore, inviting people from across the religious, political and social spectrum of Malawi — all members of the CCAP; brothers and sisters in the Anglican Church; the Roman Catholic Church; Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches; the Muslim brothers and sisters; traditional and community leaders; political parties and their supporters; government institutions; civil society organisations; the business community; academic and professional institutions; young people and students; and all the people of Malawi.”
“We are inviting you because the history of Blantyre Mission is not only the history of one denomination. Its influence has reached into different areas of Malawian life.
“Through education, it contributed to literacy, teacher training, theological education, technical and vocational skills, and the formation of generations of leaders.
“Through health and social services, the wider Scottish missionary enterprise contributed to the development of hospitals and community services.
Malabada Health Centre in Ndirande managed by the CCAP Blantyre Synod
“Through agriculture and commerce, missionary work became connected with agricultural development, legitimate trade and the development of commercial activity.
“Through language and literacy, the Mission contributed to the development and use of African languages in education and Christian communication. The work associated with David Clement Scott and his colleagues is particularly important in this regard.
“Through leadership development, mission education helped produce teachers, ministers, professionals, civic leaders and people who participated in the development of Malawi.
“Through public and political engagement, the Church and its educated members became involved in debates about justice, governance and the welfare of ordinary people.
“Through Christian mission, the Mission contributed to the growth of Christianity and to the development of the Presbyterian tradition that eventually became part of the CCAP.
“These contributions have touched Malawians in different ways, whether or not every Malawian belongs to the CCAP.”
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