PCEA Nairobi West Parish

Beginning

The church was started in late 1982 under the name PCEA Church of the Torch, Nairobi South C. The church was at the current location of Moi Education Centre which then housed the Ministry of Works staff quarters chapel and adult literacy classroom. The Church was relocated to the current location in May 1984 after the government condemned the staff quarters.

Pioneers

The first Minister to serve the church was Rev Geoffrey M. Ngare in late 1982 after he retired from Prisons Service Chaplaincy. The Minister by end of 1982 approached Elders George Wanyingi Karuri (PCEA, Langata Church) and the late Gerald Njoroge (Thogota Parish-Githima Church) to join him. Both were working at the Prisons Department opposite Wilson Airport. The late Elder Tabitha Githaiga, who was then a Deacon in PCEA Langata Church joined the team. The team mobilized PCEA members in the vicinity of Nairobi South B, South C, Mariakani, Madaraka, Golf course, and Nairobi West to establish a congregation that was overseen by the Session of St Andrews Church. The Church was subsequently registered on 29^th May 1983.

The other pioneer elders who helped Mr. George W. Karuri though from other Parishes were: –

Samuel Kabiru (Mathare Parish)
D.M Ngurimu (Mathare Parish)-Currently retired under PCEA Nairobi West Parish
Shadrack Mwangi (Langata Parish)

Construction Work

On 7^th April 1984, construction of the Sanctuary (temporary mabati) on the new location began. The construction was completed by September 1984 with dedication taking place on 21^st September 1986 by Rev. Moses Waweru, Moderator, Ngong Hills Presbytery.

In March 1989, construction work of the minister’s houses started. It was later resolved to build two mansionettes. One was designated as the manse while the other for rental purposes. This was completed and dedicated in June 1992 by Rev. Stephen Kariuki.

I. Early Church Leadership

The first local Church Committee (LCC) was formed on 15th May 1983 with the following officials.

Geoffrey M. Ngare – Chairman
Samuel Kabiru – V/Chairman
George W Karuri – Secretary
Late Elder L. Muuya – Ass Secretary
Late Elder Tabitha Githaiga – Treasurer

On 19^th June 1983, the first deacons were inducted and dedicated by Rev. Geoffrey M. Ngare. They were;

Late Elder Tabitha Githaiga
Beatrice Wahinya
Nancy Kinyua
Late Mrs. L. Muuya
Nellie Mwaura
Late Mrs. Hannah Ndungu

II. Formation of Church Groups and Committees

A. Building Committee-March 1984

B. Finance and Development Committee-August 1984

C. Worship Committee-August 1984

D. Church School Committee-Late 1982

E. The Boys & Girls Brigade-February 1989

F. The Nursery School Project (Kindergarten)-March 1990

G. Woman’s Guild Committee-August 1983

H. Youth Fellowship-August 1983

I. Church Choir-Early 1984

III. Establishment of Sunday Worship Services

a. Church School 8:15 – 9:15 am

The first church service consisted of small children in late 1982. Together with four families that joined, they formed the first congregation in November 1982.

b. Kikuyu Service 10:30 – 12:00 noon

In March 1983, the first Kikuyu service was launched by Rev. G M Ngare with the following members.

- G M Ngare
- Late Elder Tabitha Githaiga
- Nellie. Mwaura
- Late Mrs. Hannah Ndungu
- Late Elder L. Muuya
- Beatrice Wahinya
- Nancy Wariara Kinyua

c. English Service 9:20 – 10:15 am.

In August 1983, the Youth group was formed and the English service was introduced with the following members.

- Jane Ndungu
- Alice Ndungu
- Catherine Mwaura
- Esther Njeri
- Agnes Mwaniki
- Leah Wanjiku
- Irene Mwaura
- Crispus Muuya

d. Kiswahili Service 5:30 – 6:30 pm

The service was launched together with the formation of Woman’s Guild in August 1983. It was later on discontinued but was subsequently revived with different timing that currently runs from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm.

IV. History of the Multi-Purpose Church Hall

In 1985 an Ad-hoc Harambee sub-committee was formed to raise funds for construction of a permanent Church Sanctuary.
On 5^th June 1988, the groundbreaking ceremony was officiated by the Moderator of the 12^th General Assembly Rt. Rev. Dr. George Wanjau.
On 9^th August 1998, the official laying of the foundation stone was done by the Moderator of the 15^th General Assembly Rt. Rev. Dr. Jesse M. Kamau.
On 25^th February 2001, the Church Sanctuary was dedicated by the Moderator of Milimani Presbytery, Rev Samuel Murigu Njoroge.

V. Chronology of growth of PCEA Nairobi West Church into Parish status

The church was started in late 1982 and the congregation consisted mostly of church school children.
The Congregation started Kikuyu service in March 1983. English and evening Kiswahili services were also started in August of the same year. Kiswahili service was subsequently discontinued until a future date.
By the end of 1983, the church had grown to about 50 members
In 1984, the congregation relocated to the present location and the church name changed from PCEA Church of Torch Nairobi South C to PCEA Nairobi West Church.
In February 1985 the church plot was dedicated by Rev. Dr. George Wanjau.
In September 1986 Langata Deacon Courts were inaugurated into a parish. PCEA Nairobi West Church was one of its congregations with 300 members and 60 children attending church school.
In January 1996 Nairobi West Church became part of the New Milimani Presbytery carved out from the Greater Ngong Hills Presbytery, by the Moderator of the 14^th General Assembly Rt. Rev. Benard Muindi.
In January 1998, PCEA Nairobi West Parish was inaugurated by the Moderator of the 15^th General Assembly, Rt. Rev. Jesse Kamau.