Kenya, a land of breathtaking landscapes and diverse cultures, has a rich tapestry of history woven into its soil.
Among the threads of this historical fabric are its churches and chapels, silent witnesses to the passage of time, wars, and the triumph of the human spirit.
WoK takes a look at some of Kenya’s most iconic and historic places of worship.
Maai Mahiu Chapel
The Maai Mahiu Chapel, located strategically along the Maai Mahiu–Naivasha highway, is one of the oldest churches in Kenya. It was built in 1942 at the height of World War II by Italian prisoners of war.
According to the Daily Nation, locals call the chapel Msikiti (Mosque) due to its uncanny resemblance to the Muslim house of worship.
The church is one of the tiniest in Kenya, with a capacity of 12 seats. However, it attracts congregants from the surrounding area as well as long-distance truck drivers.
Despite hosting the usual Sunday service, the chapel is open 7 days a week. It has no permanent congregants, nor a resident priest. It is also a tourist attraction site, who frequent the ancient chapel for photoshoots.
All Saints Church Limuru
Located in Kamonde, Tigoni, All Saints Church was built in 1912. It was pioneered and built by Mr. Arnold Butler McDonell, one of the earliest European settlers in Limuru who also founded the Kiambethu tea estate.
The chapel was completed and consecrated in 1940 and is now a centerpiece of Tigoni’s high life. The 250-capacity church hosts a historic graveyard in its compound.
Some notable graves are those of the Leaky family, who were among the first missionaries in Kenya and are famed for their anthropological work.
It also hosts the grave of Joseph Koinange, the first African Principal of Kenyatta University College. He was the first African to worship in the church.
All Saints’ Catedral
The All Saints’ Cathedral is one of the most iconic churches in Nairobi. Its foundation was laid in 1917, but due to numerous construction delays, it was completed in 1952.
The church is not only an important house of worship but also a symbol of Kenya’s fight for democracy. It was known as the ‘church of politics of Kenya’ during the KANU regime.
During the fight for democracy, the cathedral offered sanctuary to mothers of political prisoners who were on a hunger strike and had been evicted by Police from Uhuru Park’s Freedom Corner.
They were led by the late professor Wangari Maathai, a political and environmental activist who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.
Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Family
This iconic cathedral is the seat of the catholic archdiocese of Nairobi. The original church was built in 1904 with a seating capacity of 300-400 people. The current building was built in 1960 and opened in 1963.
The first congregants at the cathedral were workers constructing the Nairobi Railway Station. The basilica made history as the first stone building in Nairobi. It was visited by Pope John II in 1980, 1985, and 1995.
The cathedral Basilica of the Holy Family is open throughout the week and houses a bookshop and a school.
St Francis Xavier Chapel
Also known as The Portuguese Chapel, this church is located in Old Town Malindi near Malindi Law Courts. It was built by Vasco Da Gama and fellow sailors in 1498, making it among the oldest churches in East Africa.
The chapel is now operated by the National Museums of Kenya and features a rooftop cross, and an altar, among other catholic paraphernalia. It has a 40-seater capacity and hosts 39 graves of sailors and prominent locals.
Thousands of catholic faithful visiting Malindi have prayed at the church, although it has no permanent priest or congregation. The chapel is a popular destination for local and international tourists.
St Paul’s Anglican Church Kiambu
This quaint little church is situated on a grassy knoll to the East of Kiambu Golf Club. Its main building was completed in 1911, although it has seen various renovations over the years. According to Business Daily, the church features a magnificent bell tower that was added in 1961.
Its initial congregation was made up of white settlers, whose names are inscribed on the chapel’s well-maintained graveyard. It was incorporated into a parish within the Fort Hall diocese in 1961.
St Paul’s Anglican Church Rabai
This historic church began as a mission station in 1846, founded by Ludwig Krapf and Johannes Rebmann. Due to an increase in congregants, they built a larger chapel in 1887.
St. Paul’s Anglican Church is credited as the venue where 2,000 slaves were issued with certificates of freedom.
The mission station quickly became one of the earliest cradles of modern education in Kenya with the establishment of the first primary school. Of the initial 91 acres that belonged to the mission, only 6 acres remain.
