AbiriKenya

Historic Churches in Homa Bay

Asumbi Catholic Church: Nearly A Century Later

There is nothing that evokes a sense of heritage more than a beautiful historic church in the countryside. This iconic church is located within the bucolic setting of Asumbi, and is considered one of the historic assets in the area. Renowned for its bold angular monochrome architecture, enlivened with substantial buttresses and large coloured window, Asumbi Catholic Church, slumbering away the years amid quiet rural life, is a beautiful sight to behold. It has stood here for nearly a century, beautified by the best work of stonemasons, craftspeople and local artists, loved by those who have marked life’s most important moments within it.

The towering church bell, going off like clockwork since, is a major landmark. Then there’s the defining monochromic brownish-red brick cladding, contrasting vividly with the verdant surrounding of the property. The wide volume of the nave, with its green iron-clad roof, is a remarkable accomplishment nearly a century after its opened its doors to the public. Bearing a canny resemblance to Rang’ala Catholic Church in Siaya County, it has a powerful design influenced by the modern movement of Victorian architecture in Africa’s early churches.

Decoulously, a picture of the first missionary at the church is painted on the gate and captioned: “Father Philip Scheffer Odero, the founding father of the church”. At the entrance of the large holding, on top of the door, is written AD 1928, the year Asumbi Church was opened. It quietly signifies the relentless spirit of modern Christianity. The church has red steel doors with white crosses painted on them.

The history of Asumbi Catholic Church goes back to the early years of the 20th century. Fr Scheffer, later named Odero Wuon Got, sailed across Lake Victoria from Ojola Catholic Station, in Kisumu County, to set up the church in 1912. On the way, Fr. Scheffer, accompanied by Fr. Hotsman, passed through Kendu Bay, where the Seventh Day Adventists had recently completed the impressive church at Gendia [in 1906] enroute Homa Bay and Mbita. At Asumbi, they met paramount chief Okello Moraganga who directed them to build a church at Nyahobe village.

The place was full of wild animals and magicians who kept snakes in small pots called Asumbi. The area was later renamed Asumbi. To begin with, they built a modest temporary grass-thatched church in 1915. However, it did not last long, for the locals burnt it down in 1917. Not one to give up easily, Fr. Hotsman travelled to Europe in 1919 with samples of red soil from Asumbi for tests on whether it could be used to make bricks. With the help of local believers, the missionaries made thousands of bricks between 1922 and 1923. Finally, Asumbi Catholic Church was completed in 1928 and served people from as far as Suba, Mbita, and Karungu.

Later, as more locals took up the new faith and the parish grew, the Franciscan Sisters of St Joseph setup Asumbi Convent and Asumbi Teachers Training College. After the college came other institutions including Asumbi Girls National School, St Teresa Asumbi Girls Boarding Primary School, St Marks Asumbi Primary School, Asumbi Technical Training Institute, Asumbi Mission Hospital, and Father Scheffer Primary School. There is a cemetery where the priests and nuns who served at the church rest, with crosses bearing identities placed atop their resting place.

Asumbi Catholic Church is found at the self-same village of Asumbi. From Homa Bay town you drive out along the C20 Homa Bay-Rongo Road for 13 km to the small centre of Rodi Kopany. At Rodi Kopany you branch off onto the C18 Rodi Kopany-Rangwe-Oyugis Road for 14 km, then a short stretch along the Suneka-Asumbi Road. Asumbi Catholic Church is well signposted and easy to find. If you get to Namba Shopping Centre you’ve overshot the entrance into Asumbi and need to double back. For courtesy, be sure to visit the church office on arrival.

---

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. 

Index of Historic Churches in Kenya



Baringo County - St. Swithin's Church, Elgeyo Marakwet County - Wewo Catholic Church, Homa Bay County - SDA Church Gendia, Asumbi Catholic Church, Isiolo County - St. Eusebius Cathedral, Kericho County - AIC Kericho, The Sacred Heart Cathedral, ACK Kericho, Kiambu County - St. Mary's of the Angels Church, All Saints Limuru, Watson Scott Memorial Church, PCEA Thogoto Mission Church, Kilifi County - Thomas Wakefield Memorial Methodist Church, The Portuguese Chapel, ACK Rabai Church, Kisumu County - St. Theresa’s Cathedral, Kitui County - AIC Ikutha, Lamu County - Lamu Catholic Church, Machakos County - AIC Mumbuni, Makueni County - AIC Kalamba, Kyale Catholic Church, Meru County - St. Joseph's Cathedral, Kaaga Methodist Church, Migori County - Komotobo Mission Church, Mombasa County - The ACK Mombasa Memorial Church, Holy Ghost Cathedral, ACK Emmanuel Church, Muranga County - Muranga St. James & All Martyrs Church, Tuthu Catholic Church, Nairobi County - St. Stephen Cathedral, St. Austins Cathedral, The All Saints Cathedral, Nakuru County - The Church of Goodwill Elementaita, Remembrance Church Njoro, Nyandarua County - Knessiah 7th Day Jewish Main Synagogue, Nyeri County - Tumu Tumu Hill Church, The Consolata Nyeri Cathedral, PCEA St Curthbert Church, Italian Memorial Church, Samburu County - Baragoi Catholic Mission, Siaya County - Rangala Catholic Church, Taita Taveta County - St. Marks Anglican Church, The Bura Mission Catholic Church, ACK Trinity Church Mahoo, Tana River County - Ngao Neukirchen Church, Hola Methodist Church, Tharaka Nithi County - PCEA Chogoria Church, Trans Nzoia County - St. Lukes Anglican Cathedral, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Vihiga County - Kidundu Friends Church, Kima Church of God, African Divine Church, West Pokot County - The Holy Cross Church Kacheliba, The Dini ya Roho Mafuta Pole ya Africa

---

outlook

Located in the western Kenya, bordering Lake Victoria, Homa Bay County is known for its scenic landscapes, extensive lakeshore, and vibrant community life. It also offers a rich blend of cultural and historical attractions. Touring Homa Bay County allows you to immerse yourself in a part of Kenya’s natural beauty, cultural diversity, and immersive historical heritage that rarely gets under the limelight.

You Are Here: Asumbi Catholic Church

Where to Next?

Explore Destinations Near Asumbi Catholic Church

A Guide to Homa Bay County



A Summa Digest of Homa Bay

About Homa Bay Way Back When

48 Destinations in Homa Bay County, arranged as one would visit these - southeast, north then west - with aid of narratives, strip maps and distance chart:

Sondu Miriu Hydro Station, Old Kendu Bay Town, Olmak Beah Resort, Kendu Adventist Gendia, Lake Simbi Nyaima, Ondago Swamp National Sanctuary, Kisindi Lodge and Spa, Homa Hills, Abundu Hot Springs, Bala Lawi Hot Springs, Kanjera Prehistoric Site, Kanam Prehistoric Site, Asego and Kasarua Hills, Homa Bay Town, Asumbi Catholic Church, Asumbi Resort, Kodera Forest, Ruri Hills, Soklo Kipenji, BJs Ranch, Mbita Point, Victoria Sands Lodge, Gembe Hills, Mbita Ferry, Rusinga Island, Rusinga Island Lodge, Tom Mboya Mausoleum, White Stone Beach Resort, Rusinga Island Festival, Ngodhe Island, Kasawanga Village, Mfangano Island, Mfangano Island Lodge, Mawanga Rock Art, Kwitone Rock Art, Abasuba Peace Museum, Siambi Resort, Takawiri Island, Ringiti Island, Mbasa Islands, Gwassi Hills, Lambwe Valley, Ruma National Park, KWS Obiri Guest House, Kanyamwa Escarpment, Nyamugondho Shrine, Gor Mahia Shrine

Know More About Homa Bay County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

---