Baur - Founder of the Bura Mission

Henry J. Koren, Spiritan East Africa Memorial, 1994: 

* February 5, 1857 Plougastel, Brittany + September 22, 1900 Zanzibar

After studying philosophy and theology at Langonnet and Chevilly, he was ordained December 17, 1881 at Clermont-Fenand and made his profession on August 26, 1883 in Chevilly. As he wished, he was appointed to East Africa.  He sailed from Marseille six weeks later and was assigned to Mandera. He quickly leamed Swahili and proved to be quite adaptable to local customs, such as long palavers. One year later, he transfened to Tununguo. When its director, Fr. Dault, died shortly after his anival, he took over the mission, completed its buildings, organized the defense of the mission against marauding Mafiti, and took care of its Christian village. He found a valuable friend in the old chieftain of the area and became the arbitrator respected by all, but the work of evangelizing the local population progressed only slowly. That was to be expected, of course; in time, it would come: one man does the sowing, but another one reaps the harvest. After a leave in France, he was transfened in 1892 to Bura in present-day Kenya. Here his kindness and adaptability again proved to be a great asset during the remaining seven years of his labor. Plagued by recurrent fevers, he entered the hospital of Zanzlbar in September. He died there a few days later.