Historic Churches in Meru
Kaaga Methodist Church: A Lasting Legacy
In the late 19th century, several missionary organizations dared the backwoods of Tana River: United Methodist Missionary Society (UMMS), German Neukirchen Mission (GNM), Holy Ghost Fathers (HGF) and Swedish Mission, arriving in that order. The pioneers, UMMS, arrived in 1863. It is important to note that this surge of missioners was a forerunner of the nations of Europe taking interest in Africa. Setting up of mission stations in hinterland Kenya would become as efficacious for the extension of their influence as the establishment of new colonial stations.
The German Neukirchen Mission pioneers soon opened up a post at Ngao. Since this post was actually on the land granted to Methodists, a dispute arose. It was settled by a division of land. In 1895, an official three-month tour of the area was done, carefully taking down all the details, to estimate the number of the people living in each particular town. The report found the Gallas to be just about 5,000 while the population of the Pokomo was about 14,760; obviously revealing that there were more Pokomo than there were of Galla; An early indication that the Methodists were working among very few residents scattered over a vast area.
In 1909 Reverend Griffiths of the Methodist Church Mission had approached Edward Butler Horne, the then District Commissioner for Meru, for a Methodist presence in Meru. Edward Home accepted the request and even went ahead to see to it that land was allocated to Griffiths at Kaaga by the Mulathankari clan. A missionary carpenter started the buildings at Kaaga in January, 1912. Reverend Worthington, arriving in December of that year, began evangelical work. After opening a station at Kaaga in 1912, a school was opened at the same place in 1913.
By 1915, the United Methodist Mission had more or less settled in Meru, where the first station at Kaaga in a region was gaining traction. The Kaaga station, at the last, would become a lasting springboard for the Methodist Mission to expand. It soon opened a number of stations and schools, culminating in the opening of a hospital at Maua. From this upturn, they hence mainly worked in mid and northern Meru.
It is from also from Kaaga that the United Methodist Mission spread to cover the rest of Meru, including to Igembe in 1920, where their contribution to formal western education grew. Important to mention is that the then rural districts in East Africa such as Taita and Tana River had, upto this point, been represented almost entirely by missionaries. These mission stations would became and a precursor for the regions which were later taken over by colonial officials.
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
Famous for its wildlife, rich agricultural lands, and stunning natural attractions, Meru County, on the north-eastern slopes of Mount Kenya, is the immemorial enclave of the Ameru nation. Inhabited mainly by the sub-tribes of Imenti, Tigania, Igembe, and Tharaka, Meru County has one of the best developed touring circuits.
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Explore Destinations Nearby Kaaga Methodist Church
A Guide to Meru County
A Summa Digest of Meru
About Meru Way Back When
65 Destinations in Meru County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north, east then west - with the aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Kierra Valley, Kierra Ridge, St. Mary’s High School, Anabas Resort Trout and Seafood Grill, Tharuu Springs, Giitune Sacred Forest, M.Mpuri Cultural Centre, Meru Museum, St. Joseph's Cathedral, Meru Sports Club, Alba Hotel, Kathita Falls, Irine (Devil's Bridge) Falls, Cool Stream Garden, Thiiri Cultural Centre, Kaaga Methodist Church, Kaaga War Memorial, Kiathandi Hill, Mpogoro Forest, Stone Woman Kieiga Forest, Njuri Ncheke Headquarters at Nchiru, Ngaya Forest, Meru National Park, Twin Baobab Tree, Elsa’s Kopje, Ikweta Safari Camp, Adamson Falls Bridge, Rhino River Camp, Giant Meru Oak, Lake Nkunga, Mucheene Forest Station, Mucheene Cave, Lake Thai, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Sirikoi House, Nyambene Reserve, Liga Ria Ngutu, Lake Magado, Ngare-Ndare Forest Reserve, Ngare-Ndare Falls, Mount Kenya National Park, Sirimon Route, Mount Kenya One Day Trip, Theemwe Route, Theemwe Springs, Marania Route, Lake Rutundu, Rutundu Log Cabins, Chogoria Route, Nithi Falls, The Gates Falls, Lake Alice, Lake Ellis, Lake Michaelson, Vivienne Falls, Timau River Lodge, Wonky House, Tamalu Farm, Charanna Farm, Kisima Farm, Kisimani Resort, Mwonyo Valley, Giant Footprints
Know More About Meru County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Meru County’s positioning on the eastern slopes of Mount Kenya and the equator has highly influenced its natural conditions and economic prospects. Altitude ranges from 300m to 5,199m asl.
The topography of Meru County has a critical influence on its climate. Temperatures range from a low of 8 Degrees to a high of 32 Degrees Celsius during the cold and hot seasons respectively.
