The Catholics had preceded the English missionaries arrival at Zanzibar by almost fouryears.In September 1860 the powerful French religious figure Abbe Favat had secured an agreement from Seyyid Said's successor to allow him to move his headquarters from Reunion Island to Zanzibar.By December his group of "two secular priests and six nuns, ("Filles de Marie") were living near Shangani point in a large convent house which also had a small chapel.
Katika mwezi Septemba mwaka 1860 Abbe Favat ambaye alikuwa Mfaransa mdini maarufu mwenye nguvu alitiliana mkataba na Seyyid Said kumruhusu yeye Abbe Favat kuhamishia Makao Makuu yake katika Kisiwa cha Reunion na kuwa Zanzibar kufikia mwezi Disemba kikundi chake cha mapadri wawili wasio watawa na watawa sita wa kike (Filler de Marie) walikuwa wakiishi katika makaazi ya watawa ambayo pia yalikuwa na kanisa dogo hapo Shangani.