40 YEARS IN SOUTHERN RHODESIA
Brother John Baptist Krechel, Si.. who died recently in South Africa, in his eightieth year, had given practically Lice whole of forty years of devoted service to the Salisbury Mission in Southern Rhodesia. Born of German parents in 1863, he joined the Society of Jesus in 1893, and later volunteered for the Foreign Missions. Along with two other German Brothers, be arrived at Chishnwasha in October, 1902, and there he lived and laboured almost without interruption till the time of his death.
Though he lived and loved a life of self-effacement, he was an accomplished stone-mason and has left behind him many magnificent specimens of his draughtsmanship. His work consisted mainly of quarrying, dressing, cutting and carving the local stone, while train jog native nhaetivgreabdanYagllytoenarisscledhiinthe Icnhutrhcis
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at Chishawasha with the most exquisite woFrkirsgtoifhearHigh Altar, then in slow succession, the altar rails, reredos, side altars, font and pulpit gave proof of his consummate skill There is also the beautiful Cross in the Cemetery, and the stately Calvary outside the main entrance to the church. The Catholic Cathedral at Salisbury and other churches and missions have also benefited by his skill and industry.
In later years, he admitted that Chishawasha was his world and that it would break his heart to be sent else where. Certainly, he has left behind him in the church there lasting monuments of his skill and industry, which he devoted so unflinchingly to the service of the Master he loved and served so faithfully.