The boundaries of the Diocese are identical with the boundaries of the Eastern Province of Zambia, comprising all its nine Districts namely Chipata, Chadiza, Chama, Katete, Petauke, Lundazi, Nyimba and Mambwe. Originally, from 1903, it was part of the Vicariate Apostolic of Nyasa which comprised the whole North and East of Zambia together with Malawi. The first mission station on the border of Malawi/Zambia at Kachebere was opened in 1903. Separation in 1913 of the Nyasa Vicariate from the Bangueolo Vicariate favoured a speedier development of the present Chipata Diocese. Lundazi and Chama Districts still belonged then tot the Bungueolo Vicariate. Mphangwe Mission opened in 1914 but no longer existing in that same locality was the first Mission of the present Chipata Diocese. Minga, opened in 1923, followed next. Then the creation in 1937 of the Prefecture of Fort Jameson, separated from the Nyasa Vicariate and with the whole territory as at present (Lundazi and Chama included), put the Diocese on the road of an independent and autonomous development. In May 1953 the Prefecture was raised to the status of an Apostolic Vicariate and on 25^th April, 1959 it became a Diocese. Its original name, Fort Jameson, was changed to Chipata after the independence of Zambia.