ST Peter’s Cathedral principal church of the Anglican Diocese of Northern Malawi continues to captivate travel enthusiasts to date. The church is estimated to be 120 years old.
Located at the beautiful centre of the Likoma Island, which is surrounded by Lake Malawi, the iconic church’s construction started in 1903 and was completed in 1911.
According to Reverend Dr. Fanuel Emmanuel Magangani, St. Peter’s Cathedral was built at a place called “Chipyera” which means “ashes”.
Reverend Magangani told ProjectM that before this cathedral was constructed, it was a place where the native of Likoma Island used to punish those who were suspected of being witches or wizards and the suspects were burnt on a stake which was also witnessed by the early missionaries.
This historic treasure has stood the test of time and is widely believed to be the third largest cathedral in Central Africa.
He said it is in the same manner that they also built the Cathedral in Zanzibar as a place where slave trade was the order of the day.
The missionaries built the cathedral right at the place as a symbol of victory of superstition. It was dedicated to St. Peter, the Bishop of Rome.
Reverend Magangani added that, “the cathedral, has seven alters that are used every day and underneath there is a high alter made from the soil which was brought from Jerusalem as a symbol of connection to the birth place of Christianity. There is also a corner stone in the cathedral which was taken from Canterbury, a symbol of where the missionaries who came to Malawi were originated. The Canterbury is the centre of the Anglican Communion.
He said the cross on the pulpit was curved from the tree where Susi and Chuma including their friend buried the heart of David Livingstone.
“In essence, the cathedral is the heart of all the dioceses and these include; Diocese of South West Tanganyika, Southern Highlands and Diocese of Ruvuma in Tanzania. The Diocese of
Nyisa, Diocese of Zambezia, Diocese of Tete and Diocese of Nampula, all these four are in Mozambique,” he said.
He said what separates stories behind this building from other historical catalogues is that the first Malawian Bishop at this cathedral, was Josiah Mtekateka who was made Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese of Nyasaland in 1971 and later, he was made Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Lake Malawi.
Overall, such heritage building needs to be preserved as it stands as a testament to Malawi’s colonial past, cultural diversity and an identity of our historical monument treasure.
It continues to be a symbol of pride for Malawians and a key destination for those interested in exploring Malawi’s rich history and Afro-Malawian culture.
