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The Zion Christian Church (ZCC) was founded around 1910/1924 by Engenas Lekganyane, who blended elements from Pentecostal missionaries (like John Alexander Dowie and John G. Lake) with ancestral African spirituality .

He grew the church from its humble origins (starting with 14 members) to tens of thousands by 1948, eventually becoming one of Southern Africa’s largest churches .

Engenas passed away in 1948, leaving a strong legacy but no written records, as the church closely guarded its inner workings .

After Engenas' death, his son Joseph Lekganyane (born 1931) assumed leadership, but a succession dispute with his brother Edward led to a major split .

The church fractured into two branches:

The Star-led ZCC, headed by Edward’s line (now under Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane).

The Dove-led St. Engenas ZCC, led by Joseph and later his descendants .

Both branches remain based in Moria, Limpopo, just 2 km apart, and share similar beliefs but maintain separate identities marked by their badges — Star or Dove .

Engenas Lekganyane founded the ZCC, fusing Christian and African spirituality.

After his death, the church split into the Star (Barnabas) and Dove (Joseph/Engenas Joseph) branches.

Today, Bishop Barnabas and Bishop Engenas Joseph lead the major offshoots, each leaving a distinct mark through pilgrimages, education, social impact, and cultural identity.