St. Daniel was established as a Cathedral Parish on February 20, 1977 when Monsignor Abdon Potani was Concecrated first Bishop of Solwezi Diocese. At that time Zambia had only Nine Dioceses: Livingstone, Monze, Lusaka, Chipata, Mbala, Mansa, Kasama, Ndola and Solwezi.

In 1955, St. Daniel Parish was established belonging to Ndola Diocese. On April 9, 1959 a Prefecture of Solwezi was established under the leadership of Rt. Rev. Mgr. Rupert Hillerich OFM (1913-1969). During the prefecture period, Mass was celebrated in a small Church called St. Charles Academy where the Computer Laboratory block is situated. Between the years 1971 to 1975, Rev. Fr. Abdon Severian Potani (OFM) was appointed Apostolic Administrator and on February 20, 1977 he was Ordained Bishop of the Diocese of Solwezi.

By July 6, 1977, St. Daniel Cathedral  Parish had the following  outstations: Kifubwa, Mbonge, Kapijipanga, Mumbezhi, Mukumbi, Jiwundu, Katandano, Kalengelenge, Meheba,  Zangamenu, Mushitala, Muzabula, Kyafukuma, Sandang’ombe, Mitukutuku, Kakombe, Kimiteto, Mutanda e.t.c.

During Easter seasons Grass Fence were built around and thrashed shelters were built also by the parishioners. In the early time some people burnt our shelters this was done in order to discourage and stop people from joining Catholic Church. Easter and Christmas time used to be a moment of gathering together at the  parish (St. Daniel) for a week during the Holy week. The following were being celebrated:

1. Baptisms
2. First Holy communion
3. Reconciliation
4. Adoration of the Eucharist

All was well after the translation of Kaonde Missal and many joined and became Catholics and celebrated happily.

On 26^th December, 1993, Bishop Abdon Potani died. Noel O’Regan, who was not working in the diocese by then, was appointed as Solwezi Apostolic Administrator (O’Shea, 2009: 232).  In 1995, particularly on 10^th December, Rev. Fr. Noel O’Regan SMA was ordained as the 2^nd Bishop of Solwezi. O’Regan was among the group of Irish SMA Priests who stayed a simple life style. Because of the love Bishop Noel O’Regan had for the people of Kabompo, Zambezi and Chavuma, he managed to persuade others to adopt the parishes in these districts to be part of Solwezi Diocese. This happened in the year 1996.

Rt. Rev. Noel O’Regan worked about 2 927 days in the Diocese a period of 9 years. He was transferred to Ndola Diocese in 2004 where on the 13^th of November, he was installed as the Bishop of Ndola at Christ the King’s Cathedral (O’Shea, 2009: 264).

In 2007, Rt. Rev. Alick Banda was consecrated as the third Bishop of Solwezi. He worked there for only 3 years. This was because he was requested to go and evangelise the huge flock in the Copperbelt of Diocese of Ndola.

On May 29, 2010, Rt. Rev. Charles Sampa Joseph Kasonde was consecrated as the 4^th Bishop of Solwezi Diocese. He re-constructed the St. Daniel Cathedral where Bishop Abdon Potani is buried, strengthening the music industry in the Church and evangelising through Radio Kabangabanga.

Bishop Charles Kasonde who in a very short period of time has worked wonders especially at the Cathedral notably extending the sitting capacity of the Cathedral from 400 to now almost 1,500. The Cathedral is now second to none in the Diocese.

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