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Holy Ghost Cathedral

Historic Churches in Mombasa

The Historic Holy Ghost Catholic Cathedral

Equally impressive 600 ms from A.C.K Mombasa Memorial Church, wending on the junction of Nkrumah Road and Nyerere Avenue, is the Holy Ghost Catholic Cathedral. The Holy Ghost Fathers were the first Catholic missionaries to arrive on Kenyan soil, coming in circa 1890 from their first East African base at Bagamoyo, Tanzania. Closer to home, they opted to set up their premier base at Bura, in Taita Taveta County. Established in 1892, Bura Mission Church became the foremost inland Catholic Mission in Kenya. It was founded in early 1892 by Monsignor De Courmont who was an Apostolic Vicar and Father Jean Flick of the Holy Ghost Fathers to serve as a safehouse and midway-house for missioners and caravans destined for the hinterland. Six years later, in 1898, Holy Ghost Catholic Cathedral was founded at Mombasa Island by Alexander Le Roy, a steadfast French Holy Ghost Missioner. In 2001, it was gazetted as a National Monument not least for its stunning architecture but also for its long history and role of spiritual fulfillment.


You don’t have to be religious, or even spiritual, to enjoy a beautiful old church. The architecture, the stained glass, the history, and the famous graves all make visiting historic churches a fulfilling activity on any trip. Kenya has a lot of very old and lovely churches, and you can enter most of them free of charge, at any time. 


outlook

Well-famous for its rich Swahili culture, stunning beaches, and vibrant nightlife – acclaimed as one of the top destinations in Kenya – Mombasa County is home to Mombasa City, Kenya’s second-largest city and a primary port town that has been a key trade center for centuries. Mombasa County is more than just beaches—it’s a cultural melting pot with history, adventure, and guaranteed jambos.

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Mombasa County is generally warm and humid. A tropical wet and dry climate influenced by warm sea breezes year-round. May is generally the wettest month, then April and June. March is the hottest, peaking at 33oC, with average temperatures across the year rarely falling below 24oC; July and August.

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