PCEA Karen West Parish

PCEA Muteero started in 1981 from the larger Lang’ata Parish. The inauguration was held on 25^th January, 1998 by the Very Rev. Dr. Jesse Kamau; the 15^th General Assembly Moderator.  The leading scripture Word was “Let the same mind which was in Christ be yours” Philippians 2:5.The parish started with two congregations namely; PCEA Muteero Church in 1981 and  PCEA Kuwinda Church in1985.  On 17^th December, 2006, PCEA Karen Church was birthed hence the three congregations. In November 2022 the Parish was subdivided into two – Karen West and Karen Central. PCEA Muteero Church being one parish called Karen West Parish , Milimani South Presbytery. 

ORIGINAL FAMILIES/FOUNDERS

PCEA Muteero Church lies on a 2 acre land which was donated by the following ten families – the Late John Wambugu Kariuki, Late Elijah Muriithi Wohoro, Rev. Christopher Gichuhi Kagema, Linus Wahome Gichuki, Late Rev. Prof. Samuel Kibicho, Late Joseph Munuhe, Lare Very Rev. Dr. John Gatu , Very Rev. Dr. George Wanjau, Late Peterson Kariithi Munuhe and  Zachariah Ndegwa Bachia Kanaiya.

PCEA Muteero Church initially started at Maasai Girls School bearing in mind that there were just a few people around and most of the area was virgin forest land.  With regard to building a church, there were two main problems. First to come up with a reasonable church design.  The normal practice when people wished to put up a church at the time was to first visit what they considered well designed churches and copy the design they liked.  That was not so, instead we put our heads together and came up with a unique design to suit our purpose.  After some time, we came up with the idea of putting together two praying hands with ten fingers – some small and others big, all head together. Coincidentally, two hands have ten fingers and we were ten partners!

The design, which we called “Thanksgiving hands”, still stands and symbolizes our gratitude to God for making it possible for us to acquire the land and build a church.

After choosing a design for the church, we had to get a name.  We turned to the trees on the land.  As stated earlier the whole land was virgin forest.  We looked around and discovered that we had numerous species of indigenous trees. Eventually, it was the muhugu and muteero trees that held our attention.  When we analyzed these two trees, it was marvelous to discover the many ways in which muteero tree had qualities similar to  the word of God.  For example: the wood has a nice scent.  Christians are to have a sweet fragrance for others to be attracted to the Gospel that we stand for (2 Corinthians 2:14-15).  It keeps the fire burning brightly for a long time; thus, it makes a very good torch.  Our fire of the Gospel should keep burning forever and be a light to many.  Also charcoal from muteero tree is used by a number if Kenyan communities to treat milk gourds. It cuddles the milk and gives a nice smoky flavor.  Christians should be a good flavor to the world.  In addition, wood from the Muteero tree is not easily destroyed by termites. The Gospel is forever!  We quickly settled on the name Muteero.  The church was named PCEA Muteero Church.

With regard to building of the church, we first put up a corrugated iron sheet building to give us time to build a more permanent structure.  For the first five years, before Church Elders could have their church membership transferred, the leadership was exclusively in the hands of the following:  Late Mrs. Gladys Kariuki (Chairlady), Late Mrs. Anne Wambui Maina (Treasurer), Late Mrs. Elizabeth Wambui Riunga (Secretary) and Mrs. Grace Nyawira Kimondo (Sunday School superintendent).  Later, we approved a design from the Architect Ngure Kairu, which was based on our brief. The new church was eventually built and opened on 15/11/1998.  This wonderful contribution of muteero women is recorded by late Very Rev. Dr. John Gatu in a poem published in his Gikuyu book, He Gatu….Nguhe Kanua. The History has been extracted from the book “Fan into Flame” authored by the late Very Rev. Dr. John Gatu

1^ST Elders ordained on 13^th May, 1984 and these were Elder John Kimondo, late Elder Joseph Munuhe and late Elder John W. Kariuki.  The late Elder John W. Kariuki was the chairman in 1984.

The first team of deacons were: Late Kefa M’Barine, Late Johnson Gitahi who was also the registrar, Late Gladys Kariuki, Late Anne Maina, Late Rahab Gatu, Late Isabella Muturi, Mrs. Gladys Muriithi, Mrs. Grace Kimondo and late Elizabeth Riunga. 

The 1^st Woman’s Guild members were dedicated on 10^th June, 1984 and these were Mrs. Susan Kiragu, Mrs. Naomi Wambui Murigu, Late Isabella Muturi and Mrs. Lilian Kanaiya.

The News Letter Volume No. 3 dated June 1994 editorial task force comprised of Dr. Fredrick Muchena, Mr. Johnson Gitahi, Mrs. Njeri Gathuku and Miss. Grace Kabui.

PCMF members in 1995 were Late Elder. John W. Kariuki, Elder. Dedan C. Murigu, Late Very Rev. Dr. John Gatu, Late Julius Gecau, Elder. Josphat Githachuri, Late Naphtali Macharia, Late Eliud Muthui, Mr. Paul Njoroge, Mr.Johnson Mwangi, Mr. Godfrey Gathuku, Mr. A. Z. Kiragu, late Elder  Elder Joseph Munuhe, Mr. Kimondo Wanyiri, Elder Samson Njengi Kariuki, Late Francis Maina, Late Johnson Gitahi and Elder Gideon Roimen.

Building committee team members on 28^th January, 1992 comprised of Late Elder Kefa M’Barine  – Chairman, Late Johnson Gitahi – Secretary Elder Gideon Roimen – Treasurer,Late Julius Gecau, Late Elder Joseph Munuhe, Late Isabella Muturi, Mrs. Susan Kiragu, Late Elder John Kariuki, Late Elizabeth Riunga, Late Francis Maina, Elder John Kimondo, Elder Dedan Murigu, Elder John Warui, Late Very Rev. Dr. John Gatu, Mr. S. Kabii – V/Secretary , Mrs. Mary Wanjau and Mr. Stephen Kamamia, Late E. Mbungu, Mr. Charles Maingi and late Dr. Samuel Gatere.

PCEA Muteero Church was part of Lang’ata Parish in Ngong Hills Presbytery under Rev. Samuel Maina the Parish Minister.  The Subdivision was held on 25^th January, 1998 by the Very Rev. Dr. Jesse Kamau the 15^th General Assembly Moderator  the scripture word was “Let the same mind which was in Christ be yours” Philippians 2:5.   PCEA Muteero Church is one of the congregations  that forms  Karen Parish and hosts the Parish Offices.

The 2^nd team of Elders were ordained on 21^st February, 1999 and these were – Elder John Warui, Late Mrs. Mugiri, Elder Godfrey Gathuku and Elder Josphat Githachuri,

Elders that have so far served at PCEA Muteero Church are: Late John Wambugu Kariuki, Late Serah Nyatuga Kiaraho, Elder John Wanyiri Kimondo, Late Esther Wanjiru Kibicho, Late Kefa Njeru M’Barine, Elder Gideon Roimen, Elder Godfrey Gathuku, Elder John Warui, Late Elder Jane Mugiri, Elder Josphat Githachuri, Elder Kibacia Gatu, Elder Peter Mwangi Miana, Elder Ruth Wairimu Gathwara, Elder Emily Chemeli Wagema, Elder Dr. Margaret Wanjiku Njoroge, Elder Jane Kawira Naivasha, Elder Anthony Murrithi, Elder John Ndai Muoria and Elder Wangai Maina

The Parish Ministers that have so far served into the Larger Karen Parish where we belong are: Rev. Stephen Kariuki, Late Rev. Jane Kashorda, Late Rev. Moses Maara, Rev. Eustace Ndomo, Rev. Samuel Muriguh, Rev. Samuel Machugu, Very Rev. Dr. George Wanjau, Rev. Paul Mwangi Kariuki (DSG) and Rev. Dr. Alphonce O. Kanga