Historic Churches in Homa Bay
Seventh Day Adventist Church, Gendia
Reached without too much difficulty from the main Kendu Bay town, just 2 km away, off C26 Kendu Bay-Oyugis Road, is the Seventh Day Adventist Church at Gendia. Still in use for its original purpose, the iconic church is built on Gendia Hill overlooking Kendu Bay and outwith. Completed in 1906, this stack brick holding was an early sign of the growing influence of Christianity in Kenya, and, famously, as the point of origin of the Seventh Day Adventist denomination in Kenya.
Set up in what was the middle of nowhere at the time, considering the difficulties of the remote hinterland in the first half of the 20th century, it echoed, both is size and architecture, the sacrifices of time, talent and treasure to build a temple fit for God. As expected, the locals were instantly drawn to the novel church by its rare beauty. The power of divine truth and actions worked its magic too. The music, at a place where people take to it as fish does to water, drew in the flocks. Unrelated but worth noting is that Kendu Bay would later, from the 1950’s, become infamous as the entertainment capital of Nyanza, attracting musicians from all over Kenya.
The origins of the Seventh Day Church at Gendia date back to 1903, when the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists met and decided to send missionaries to Africa. These were Pastor A.A. Carscallen and his wife, together with Pastor Peter Nyambo from Malawi. Akin to many missioners at the time, they avoided Mombasa, a thriving coastal hub deeply rooted in Islam. But unlike most missioners arriving in Kenya, they did not aim for Nairobi. By way of the newly built Uganda-Railway they aimed for the end of the line, Port Florence (Kisumu).
Thence, by boat, across the Kavirondo Gulf, to Kendu Bay Port. The missionaries started by pitching two tents — one for Carscallen and his wife, and the other for Pastor Nyambo. Following the inceptive period of rooting around and getting accustomed to the area, the local chief, Orinda, granted their request to built the mission station at their desire place – where they could view Kisumu and other places on the far side of the the Gulf. A piece of 320 acre land was bought at $244.
Also of interest a further 2 km beyond the Seventh Day Adventist Church at Gendia is Kendu Adventist Hospital, one of the largest community installation by the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Kenya. Established in 1925, this sprawling hospital complex is a demonstration of their deep seated mantra of providing healthcare services to the local community. The SDA often places an emphasis on education. And its affiliated schools in the region are still among the sought-after.
This active participation in community progress and social programs played an important role in SDA proliferating the South Nyanza region. The Old SDA Church at Rapethi, 5 km from Ndhiwa town, was gazetted as a National Monument on March 9th, 2001, for outstanding contribution to the spiritual nourishment and social welfare. Today, it is still among the leading denominations in the region. Elsewhere in Kenya the pace was slower. It was not until 1933 that Adventism became active in central Kenya at Karura. In 1950, with the expansion of outside Nyanza taking significant momentum, the headquarters was relocated to Nairobi.
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.
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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
Homa Bay is split into two main eco-zones; lakeshore lowlands and upland plateau. The lakeshore lowlands lie between 1,163 and 1,219 ms, with a long stretch bordering Lake Victoria along the north.
Homa Bay has an inland equatorial climate pattern modified by altitude, and Lake Victoria. Temperature ranges from 18oC to 33oC, with the warmest months being between December and March. February is usually the hottest month of the year.
