St. Joseph Mativore Mission, located in Bikita District of Masvingo Province, traces its roots to 1944 when Mativore Primary School was established as a Catholic school under Silveira Mission. In its early days, church services were conducted under a tree at the school. During the early 1960s, Fr Rueg served as the Catholic priest in the area, and in 1962 construction of a permanent church building began, reaching completion in 1963. The new church was named St. Joseph Mativore Parish and placed under the Gwelo Diocese, then led by Bishop Alois Haene.

Over the years, several priests served faithfully at St. Joseph Mativore, including Fr Martin Holestein, Fr Dietsch Hugo, Fr Antony, Fr James Bernet, Fr Frank Witzer, Fr Francis Mueller, Fr Adamson Nkosana, and Fr Cleophas Mutasa. From 1967 to 1986, the parish was supported by a resident catechist, Mr Alois Mutambanesango, who assisted priests in pastoral work. In 1972, development initiatives such as a savings club, adult literacy programs, and sewing projects were introduced, strengthening both the spiritual and social life of the parish community.

As the parish grew in faith and structure, a request was made in 2011 to Rt. Rev. Michael Dixon Bhasera, Bishop of Masvingo Diocese, to grant St. Joseph Mativore Mission full mission status, separating it from Silveira Mission. The bishop approved, and construction of the priests’ house began in late 2013 with contributions from all parishes under the Mativore area. On 4 July 2015, Bishop Bhasera officially opened St. Joseph Mativore Mission. The first priest-in-charge was Fr Thomas Madusise, and today, the mission continues to thrive under the leadership of Rev. Fr Tawanda Chitumba.