BANDJERMASIN, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF. - The first mission station (Laham), founded in 1907 by the Capuchins of the Apostolic Vicariate of Dutch Borneo, became in 1926 the radiating center of the apostolate of the Missionaries of the Holy Family of Grave, to whom was then entrusted the Apostolic Prefecture of B., detached from the aforementioned vicariate and erected on 21 May 1938. In 1949 it was elevated to an Apostolic Vicariate.
Area of the territory: 387,627 sq. km. Total population: approx. 1,670,000 indigenous inhabitants (Malays immigrated from other parts of the archipelago and Bornean tribes of the Dajaki), mostly Muslim; in addition, approx. 3,400 Europeans, two-fifths Protestant, with notable nuclei of Chinese and Arabs. In 1948, Catholics numbered 5,120 indigenous and 2,180 foreigners, 660 catechumens. With 31 priests and 10 brothers, 14 Franciscan sisters of Veghel collaborate. There are 18 elementary schools with 1,266 pupils; professional schools: 1 with 35 pupils. The gradual development of the mission is especially based on the Dajaki.