SHIHTSIEN, Apostolic Prefecture of
In the eastern part of Kweichow Province, in south-central China.
It was erected as a mission *sui iuris* on March 23, 1932, with territory taken from the Apostolic Vicariate of Kweiyang, and was entrusted to the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which sent its religious from the regular province of Lower Germany, based in Hiltrup. On December 2, 1937, it was elevated to an apostolic prefecture. It covers an area of 20,000 square kilometers. As of June 30, 1948, with a total population of approximately 3,000,000 inhabitants, there were 6,045 Catholics and 500 catechumens, served by 19 foreign religious priests and 3 Chinese secular priests, 4 seminarians in the preparatory course, 7 in the minor course, and 5 in the major course. The auxiliary personnel consisted of 3 lay missionary brothers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 16 catechists, and 58 teachers. There were 21 primary stations and 7 secondary stations, served by 2 churches and 25 chapels. Among the works were 16 dispensaries, 1 orphanage, and 4 elementary schools.
The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus arrived in the present territory of Shihsien in 1927 and worked, until 1932, under the jurisdiction of the Apostolic Vicar of Kweiyang. They were the first to bring evangelical preaching to the area, which had previously been hindered by the lack of communications and nearly constant civil disturbances. Their first superior, Fr. Winkelmann, was assassinated by bandits in 1930.