By the turn of the last century the Christian faith was literally spreading like wildfire.
The railway and its various stops provided guidance to where more adherents might be found. It was no different for those evangelising under the Anglican umbrella.
Having The Upper Hand
The Anglican church received many privileges. This was largely because it represented the church of the colonial administrators.
At the close of 1903 a foundation stone was laid for a modest church made of wood and corrugated iron. Located at the present day Parliament Road, the church was named St Stephens.
The humble church served its congregants for several years before being neatly stripped down and relocated to Pumwani under a new name – St John’s.
The designation as St. Stephens was left for a larger new church that was built in the same location. This place of worship stood for several years before once again being demolished. The name was given to yet another new church which began construction in 1923 at the corner of Likoni and Jogoo Roads. It was established to serve residents of Makongeni, Landimawe, Government Quarters, Bahati, Mbotela, Shaurimoyo and Makadara.
Endowed with an organ imported from South Africa, the church became a vibrant hub for African Christians.
Major Turning Point
Located in the heart of the African residential area for the railways, St Stephen’s began to grow its mettle as a place of African gospel inspiration. For the 1963 independence-day celebrations, the choir was invited to bring a sense of Kenyan Christian music to the auspicious occasion.
So began a long tradition of the St Stephen’s choir as an incubation for new songs and new renditions of well-loved hymns and Kenyan style songs of worship. Did you know that the well-known Kayamba music group has its origins in this special choir?
In 2002 St Stephens was consecrated as a Cathedral by the Anglican Church of Kenya. It continues to serve a thriving congregation nearly a century later.
