Historic Churches in Muranga
Brief History of Muranga County
The long history of Tuthu Catholic Church dates back to 1902, when this officially became the first Catholic Mission to be established in Central Kenya, or as the phrase was Kikuyuland. In 1902, the Catholic Consolata Fathers had been invited to Tuthu, on the slopes of the Aberdare Range, by famed local chief Karuri wa Gakure, who was, unsurprisingly, one of the first converts to modern Christianity in Central Kenya. The first service at Tuthu was held under a Mugumo (fig) tree, up until then duly accredited as the religious shrines among the Agikuyu community.
The very first Church building at Tuthu, completed in 1908, was dedicated as a goodwill gesture to Chief Karuri Gakuru who at the time was routinely guiding the caravan of missioners through hinterland Kenya en-route Ethiopia. Although he was the first to be baptized, most locals kept away from mass baptism after a rumour that one was put into a drum full of water and left there overnight. That Church was dismantled during the Mau Mau insurgency. The present-day edifice of Tuthu Church was opened in 1916. It is situated 50 km west of Muranga town.
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
Murang’a County is a rich agricultural and cultural hub, known for its historical significance, beautiful landscapes, and important role in Kenya’s tea and coffee industries. The scenic hillscapes and cultural heritage makes Murang’a County a fascinating destination for visitors interested in nature, history, and agriculture.
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A Guide to Muranga County
A Summa Digest of Muranga
About Muranga Way Back When
40 Destinations in Muranga County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north, west then east - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Gatura Greens Purple Tea Farm Tours, Kimakia Tea Cottage, Kimakia Falls, Kanunga Falls, Ndakaini Dam, Ndakaini Dam Marathon, Muchiri's Resort, Aberdare Forest, Elephant Hill, Aberdare Bongo Ecolodge, Ranges View Lodge, Manguyo Falls, Mathioya River, Kenya Fly Fishers (Southern Camp), Aberdare Cottages and Fishing Lodge, Mathioya River Lodge, Karuri Gakure Grave Site, Tuthu Catholic Church, Mukurwe Wa Gathanga, Karia Ka Mbari Ya Ngware, Wangu Wa Makeri Shrine, C70 Gacharage-Kangema Road, Maragua Dam, Maragua Falls, Old A2 Route, Muranga town, Kakuzi Boran Barn, Makuyu Golf Club, Makuyu Ridge, Eco Farmhouse, Muranga Gorges, Mathioya Dam, Muranga (St. James & All Martyrs) Church, Stanley’s Haven, Sagana Getaway Retreat, Tetura Sagana Camp, Laibon Gardens & Campsite, Jangwani Camp
Know More About Muranga County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Maximum temperatures ranges between 26°C and 30°C, while the minimum ranges between 14°C and 18°C. In the western area, which is mostly high altitudes, the minimum temperatures can be as low as 6°C in July.
The topography and geology of Muranga is more or less sloping westerly towards the long Aberdare Range, the rain catchment from where most of rivers draining it originate. All these rivers flow south-eastward bound, to join Tana.