History of PCEA Kuwinda Church

Introduction and background

PCEA Kuwinda church was born by the then Lang’ata Parish which comprised of PCEA Nairobi West Congregation, PCEA Muteero Congregation and PCEA Lang’ata Congregation. This was in 1985, when the late Rev. Stanley Kahahu and his family donated one acre plot where the church now stands. Due to the need of having PCEA Kuwinda congregation, Rev. Stanely Kahahu, Rev. Dr. George Wanjau (the then Moderator of the General Assembly), and Rev. Geoffrey Ngari who was the Parish minister of PCEA Lang’ata Parish met for purposes of starting the PCEA Kuwinda congregation. In 1998, PCEA Kuwinda and PCEA Muteero were combined to form PCEA Karen Parish and Rev Jane W. Kashorda became the first Parish Minister.

Genesis of the name KUWINDA

The name Kuwinda is derived from the activity of hunting camp of the larger farm from where Kuwinda Estate was curved. The farm was owned by European settler who curved two acres and gave it to his workers headed by Late Simon Kimani in 1985.

PCEA Kuwinda occupies Two Acres of Land acquired in three phases as follows: –

1. The original one acre comprises of the church building, the Vestry, Minister’s manse and Rev Kahahu Memorial building (named after the donor).
2. Two separate half acre pieces of land were bought from Edward Gitau and Agnes Kamau who are both family members of the late Rev. Stanley Kahahu.

PCEA Kuwinda Congregation

At the period Rev. Stanley Kahahu was donating the land to the church, he had a vision of changing the lives of Kuwinda estate residents, where so many vises like alcoholism and other social evils were dominant. The old Lang’ata Parish under the leadership of the late Rev. Geoffrey Ngari initiated development by founding the first congregation. The first services were held under the shade tree in 1987.

The first six elders seconded by the other three congregations were: –

• Late Elder Habil Kimingi and Later elder Githaiga (PCEA Lang’ata congregation),
• Elder Ngurimu and Late Elder Isaac Ngatia (PCEA Nairobi West)
• Late Elder John Kariuki and Elder John Kimondo (PCEA Muteero)

They were later joined by the Late Elder James Mageria from PCEA Lang’ata congregation.

The first local church committee was held at home of Mr. & Mrs. Kinyanjui in 1987 under the chairmanship of the late Rev. Geoffrey Ngari. The family bought the pulpit Bible which is still being used today.

PCEA Kuwinda church continues to offer regular Sunday worship services, church school service, mission work and Holy Communion. The church pays its share of Parish church in compliance with the budget. The church relates well with the neighboring Kuwinda inhabitants and supports the needy in particular, PCEA Kuwinda has been supporting a mission area.

Mission Work

PCEA Kuwinda supports mission work, and of mention is PCEA Enamarock. 5 acres of land was donated by Elijah Kupele who is a member of PCEA Kuwinda. An additional 9 acres was bought by Kuwinda Church totaling 14 acres.  The school has 4 classes, 2 of which have been built by PCEA Kuwinda. It is good to note that the school is ongoing.

Development/ Buildings

1. The first building was a mabati house (roof & sides); contributed by the members of the other three congregations. This was in use for six years.
2. The minister manse: This is a three-bedroom house which was completed in 1992 and initially used by the student’s ministers & evangelist. The house is currently on rental.
3. Rev. Kahahu Memorial Centre: This was initiated and intended to be a nursery school. The building project was sponsored by the family of Mr. & Mrs. Muumbi who are family friends of Mr. & Mrs. Gatumo. It has been used as a nursery school, church school, Vestry, meeting hall & dispensary. It was later used as a sanctuary when the mabati sanctuary was demolished to pave way for the current church building.
4. The main church Building: This was started in 1995 and completed in the year 2005. The project was under supervision of the Late Mr. Danson Gakimo, Mr. Simon Gikonyo and the Late Elder Peter Kagotho. They were assisted and supported by the local church committee, members of the congregation and donors.
5. The Vestry: Standing next to the main church building, it was started in 2014 and completed in 2020. The vestry building project reflects the success of the work of the Development Committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Ng’ang’a, the local church Committee and special financial support from the late Eld. Mrs. Leah Wandia Mburu and her family.
6. Church Nursery: Nursery school was established in 1990 to cater for pre-primary education.

Pastoral leadership

The following are the Ministers, Elders, Student Ministers and Evangelists who have served in PCEA Kuwinda

1. Parish ministers

• Rev.Geoffrey Ngari
• Rev.Stephen Kariuki
• Rev Samuel Kinyua
• Rev Mwaniki
• Rev Jane Kashorda
• Rev Eustace Ndomo
• Rev Moses Maara
• Rev Samuel Murigu
• Rev Paul Kariuki
• Rev Alphonse O. Kanga
• Rev Simon Kamande (current)

1. Student ministers

• Rev Margaret Miano
• Rev Catherine Kihumba
• Rev John Nina
• Rev JosephWakaba
• Rev Titus Ole Runda
• Rev Hezron Thumbi

1. Evangelists
2. Rev. Timothy Chabari
3. Rev. Geoffrey Njenga
4. Ev.Samuel Waweru (current)

1. Elders
2. Retired elders

• Elder Grace Nduta Muriithi
• Late elder leah Mugure Muraya
• Elder Joel M Njoroge
• Late Elder Leah Wandia Mburu
• Elder Philip Kamuru Muchomba
• Elder Margaret Wanjiku Gakumo
• Elder Jane Mukuhi Kinyanjui
• Late elder Peter Kagotho
• Elder Hannah Wachira
• Elder John Kamau Mungai

• Active Elders

• Elder Humphrey kinegemi
• Elder Denis Kariuki Kimani
• Elder Michael Kagiri
• Elder Jackson Waita
• Elder Elizabeth Macharia

• Elders Seconded by Session
• Elder Elisha Kibacia
• Elder Owen Koimburi

1. Congregation Chairmen

      The following have also served as chair persons of the PCEA Kuwinda Church

• Joel Njoroge
• Philip Kamuru
• Dennis Kariuki Kimani
• Humphrey Kinegeni (current)

Appreciation and special thanks

We take this opportunity to thank the following: –

We wish to express our thanks to God being Ebenezer for the far we are as a church                                (I Samuel 7:12b “He named it Ebenezer, saying, thus far the Lord has helped us”)

• We appreciate all the elders, both retired and active as well as their families for their unwavering services rendered to this church.
• We also appreciate the church deacons who provide valuable services by supporting Elders at District Level, lead church groups and committees and manage church finances.
• We appreciate the entire church membership without who, there is no church. Your presence, moral support and financial services are highly appreciated.
• We thank the family of the late Rev. Stanley Kahahu for the donation of the one acre on which the church building stands. God continue to bless them.
• We thank Very Rev. Dr. George Wanjau who initially accepted the donation of the land and pursued it to a fruitful conclusion.
• We thank the late Rev. Geoffrey Ngari who took the mantle of establishing Kuwinda congregation and undertook physical development of the land by establishing the mabati Church.
• We thank the Old Langata Parish for the leadership by giving us the first Elders to establish Kuwinda congregation.
• Subsequently we thank the elder who were seconded by the old Lang’ata parish. These are
• Late Elder Habil Kimingi, Late Elder Gathaiga, Late Elder James Mageria
• Late Elder Isaac Ngatia and Elder Ngurimu
• Late Elder John Kariuki, Elder John Kimondo and late Elder Munuhe
• We appreciate the first Kuwinda elders for the commitment and exceptional services. These include late Elder Leah Mugure Muraya, Late Elder Leah Wandia Mburu and Elder Joel Njoroge

Special thanks to: –

1. The late Mr. Sam Mburu family contribution towards the manse, the main church and the Vestry.
2. The late Mr. Danson Gakumo and Eld. Mrs. Margaret Gakumo family who contributed financial support towards the main church building and other church projects.
3. Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Muumbi (family friends of Mr. & Mrs. Gakumo). They financed           Rev. Stanley Kahahu memorial Centre. God bless them greatly.
4. The late elder Peter Macharia Kagotho who was the vice chairman during construction of the main church. He had special professional skills in construction. He also provided financial support. God Rest his soul in peace.
5. The late Mr. Ashton Kanyarati and Mrs. Kanyarati. They contributed financial support towards the construction of the main church.
6. Mr. & Mrs. S. Gikonyo made great contributions building of the church.
7. The Late Elder Munuhe, who provided doors to the main church.
8. Mr. & Mrs. Philip Ndehi who provided the floor tiles to the main church building.
9. Mr. & Mrs. Patel Kaji who contributed substantial funds towards the purchase of part of the land.
10. Elder James Wainaina who contributed financial support towards the main church and other church projects.
11. Rev. Christopher Ndei who introduced donors who financed the nursery school for many years.

Vote of Thanks is also extended to Hezon Macharia, David Kamau Njoroge, Stephen Githui Mbugua and many others whose names have not been mentioned here but we believe are written in the Book of Life.

CONCLUSION

We take this opportunity to once again thank God for sustaining the whole church membership by His Holy Spirit. We thank the PCEA Karen Parish for the support and creating an enabling environment for the dedication of this church today. We appreciate all of you for attending this great function.