In 1892, an expedition party discovered an opening in the forest near a fertile valley on Mount Silinda in Rhodesia. On June 21, 1893, a group of missionaries, under the auspices of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, set out for the site of Mount Silinda. Less than two months after their arrival, they had set up four preaching centers where they held Sunday services for 30-100 persons, and a day school, starting with a class of six boys, and, later, teaching both Africans and Europeans. In January, 1897, the First Church was organized at Mount Silinda. Dr. William L. Thompson, who served from 1893-1931, began the mission hospital and was in charge of church work. New African Christians were expected to relinquish their association with the witch doctor. In 1902, Columbus C. Fuller brought a steam traction engine to the area. He also worked against slave labor and selling liquor to the natives. He supported Gideon's International by trying to influence the Africans to put Gideon Bibles in hotels. He served until 1931. The missionaries began an agricultural school and taught the natives effective farming techniques.
From the description of Records of the Mount Silinda Mission, 1894-1934 (inclusive) [microform]. (Yale University). WorldCat record id: 122562390
