LMS

The London Missionary Society Church has been a major factor in the village since the beginning. This the church that sent the explorer David Livingston to Africa. He came through Botswana in the 1840’s. Chief Khama III, who moved the tribe to Serowe in 1902 because two rivers then ran through this location, was a major builder of the LMS in northern Botswana and abolished male and female initiation. He was also against beer-making and any alcohol. No other churches were allowed. As with most societies, traditional practices found a way to be expressed within the prescribed doctrines.

The first LMS church in Serowe was built by its white missionaries. Sadly, it has fallen into disrepair as you can see. It is a valuable historic building and needs some caring hands to protect and restore it.

The imposing later and larger structure, completed in 1915, was built by Khama. It was the dominant building in the village for most of its history. Khama’s church chair has been preserved in the museum. All royal weddings are held here, and I recall attending one in 1968. The doors are very impressive with their original forged iron hinges.

In 1956 other religions were permitted in the village. There are now many churches in the village, mostly of the apostolic or “faith healing” variety. Some are branches of South African churches such as the ZCC, Zion Christian Church, and many are simply single-congregation churches that gather people under a tent on Sunday.