The Wesleyan Methodist Mission in Mashonaland began operations in September, 1891, the staff consisting of one English minister and one native teacher. By 1899 there were seven Wesleyan minsters and over a dozen evangelists. Church services in Salisbury (now called Harare) were commenced in a very primitive fashion, first in a hut, and then expanding in various stores and hotel dining-rooms. In March, 1892, Dr. Jameson laid the foundation stone of the present church—the first brick church in Rhodesia—and since then the work has become firmly established in this part of the country. Early in 1895, Methodist services were begun in Bulawayo. Through the kindness of the magistrate, the congregation worshipped every Sunday in the Court House, but as soon as possible a brick- lined iron church was erected.

Bulawayo Methodist Church, 1897

This, however, was soon found to be too small, and a valuable site was purchased in the main street for a larger building. In July, 1897, the foundation stone of the present church was laid by Mr. Rhodes,and a few months later the building was opened for service. It was built to accommodate six or seven hundred persons, and the total expenditure was nearly £7,000, a fact which speaks well for the enterprise and energy of the fledling young and growing methodist community. In 1888, the first steps were taken to start a Methodist cause in Mutare, a minister was appointed, and soon it was hoped that a suitable church would have been be erected.

Churches were also built at native locations, both in Harare and Bulawayo, Mission stations have been established in various parts of Mashonaland, and vigorous efforts were  made to induce the natives to live on a higher moral and social level. Notwithstanding many drawbacks, this work has been attended with considerable success.  This responsibility was fully recognised by the Rhodesian government. Land was granted for Mission purposes, as well as town plots for the erection of English churches, and in every way the officials showed their sympathy with all efforts for the advancement of the people generally.

The industrial side of Mission work came into greater prominence every year, and it was the intention of the Wesleyan Church to establish a training institution at their Mission station in Gambo’s District, Matabeleland.  The line of thinking that of being that the native must be taught the necessity of discipline and the dignity of labour, as part of the gospel of the New Testament, and thus he will gradually develop into a contented and useful citizen, and become a valuable factor in the commercial life of a new colony. 

As is well-known and documented, the progress of Mission work was been much retarded by plague and wars which were known as the Matabele and Mashona rebellion. During the last revolt in Mashonaland, two Wesleyan evangelists lost their lives, one named Molele being killed whilst bravely trying to rescue a wounded white man. This deed of heroism had a widespread influence, for it showed the natives in actual life the self-sacrifice of practical Christianity.