Abiri Kenya

Historic Churches in Taita Taveta

St. Mark ACK Memorial Church, Sagalla

Originally built in 1890 as ACK St. Marks Church by Rev. Joseph Wray, this pocket-size iron fabricated relic kirk, measuring just 60×40 feet, it was reestablished in 2006 in his honour as a museum. Rust and dust coated within the bucolic setting at the base of Mount Sagalla, it stands tall as it has always done for over a century, as a monument of resilience that has defied both time and seasons. Joseph Wray arrived to this branch of Taita Hills when the country was practically unknown and worked there, in ruralest Africa, for more than 30 years retiring to England in 1913.

Wray had arrived to the fresh unhackneyed sentiment of hard mission work in Kenya, which had got underway in 1844 appositely marked by the arrival of the German missioner and explorer Johann L. Krapf under Church Mission Society of England. This was with an endorsement from the influential Arab leader Seyyid Said. Krapf is widely famous for setting up the iconic Church at Rabai just north of Mombasa. To grow the gospel in the harsh untamed hinterland another German missionary, Johannes Rebmann, who was in close association with Krapf at Rabai, set off in fear, trepidation and determination to Taita Taveta to start mission work

He founded the A.I.C Missionary Church at Sagalla, while Kraph moved to Kitui County. In 1883 Reverend Joseph Wray joined Rebmann in Taita Taveta aiming to establish a mission at Sagalla in the Ndara Hills. Wray arrived in Mombasa in 1882 and a year later he moved to Taita to begin work on founding a mission. It is said that when the local Wataita saw him arrive in the Ndare hills, they met to discuss the probable reasons for his coming. They decided that the white man must have killed one of his own people and run away. Still, he had at first some trouble, and in 1887 the mission was attacked by natives, accusing him of occasioning drought.

They agreed, however, that provided he behaved himself properly, he should be allowed to stay. To Mr Wray’s explanations, via an interpreter, of his missionary purpose, the leading elder replied that they did not expect him to admit that he had committed murder. Mr Wray felt that the native view was logical and decided to leave the matter to the process of time and with it to a better understanding of his work. Ainsworth remarks that it was evident in 1892 that the Mission and the people were on good terms. It is obvious that Rev. Wray and his family paid very little attention to the remonstrances and advice of anti-Africanists. He entered with wonderful rapidity into amicable relations with the native Wasagalla tribe.

Rosy, unrelenting and full with optimism, of which the natives were impressed by, Rev. Wray finally completed the small church holding in 1901. It was among the first inland missions in Taita Taveta alongside Bura Catholic Mission and the AIC Mahoo Church, and now one of the oldest surviving Churches in Taita Taveta. Still standing to date, although in a somewhat run-down state and in need of urgent restoration, the small church, far removed from the harsh parts of colonial Kenya, is a symbol of personal resilinece, determination, and cultural exchange. During his stay here Wray helped to introduce education and healthcare and, indubitably, change the mindset hitherto that looked upon the white man as a deadly foe.  

He also compiled the first Sagalla to English dictionary and translated the Bible, Prayer and Song Books from English to Sagalla. In 2006 the old Church was turned into a community museum, after the new church was built, to honour the achievements of Rev. Joseph Wray. His unrepeatable effort to translate the Bible to Sagalla helped open up Kenya, and indeed Africa, occasioning the production of works in some dozens of languages which had previously not taken a literary shape, and some of which will, it is feared, become extinct in not many decades.

Everything about it reeks of antiquity. The wooden door with the heavy copper deadbolt is crumbly with age. Glass panels are missing from window frames. The towering steeple juts defiantly in the skies like an accusing finger. The walls, made from corrugated iron sheets, have turned mud-brown from withstanding constant buffeting by the elements over several decades. Among the items displayed in the museum are: Wray’s diary, a list of members baptized by Wray 128 years ago, a baptismal basin used by Wray, Sagalla dictionary, remains of a Sagalla Caecilian worm. Cultural elements include: a traditional stool, a bow and arrows in a quiver.

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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

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Situated in south-western Kenya, and part of the Coast Region of Kenya, Taita-Taveta County is known for its stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage. The county features diverse landscapes, including the Taita Hills, which are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, and the vast plains of Tsavo, which are part of Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks – Kenya’s largest wildlife preserve.

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Explore Destinations Nearby Rev. Wray Memorial Museum

Guide to Taita Taveta County



A Summa Digest of Taita Taveta

About Taita Taveta Way Back When

85 Destinations in Taita Taveta County, arranged as one would visit these - north, west then south - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:

Chyulu Hills National Park, Kisula Caves, Kampi ya Kanzi Lodge, Tsavo West National Park, Kamboyo Lodge, Mzima Springs, Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, Ancient Roaring Rocks, Ngulia Hills, Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, Kitchwa Tembo Hill, Chaimu Crater, The Five Sister's Hills, Shetani Lava, Finch Hattons Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro, Lake Chala, Crystal Lake Chala Caves, Voyager Ziwani Tented Camp, Sniper Tree, Gicheha Ziwani Farm, The Njoro Springs, Grogan’s Castle, Mokine Hill, Lake Jipe, Lake Jipe Eco-lodge, Salaita Hill, The Taveta Military Cemetery, Maktau Indian Cemetery, Maktau Railway Station, Taita Hills Game Lodge, Taita Hills Museum, Sarova Salt Lick Lodge, Mwashoti Hill, Maili 27 Bridge, Mwakitau Hill, Lumo Game Sanctuary, Lions Bluff Lodge, Lualenyi Camp, Ndolwa Game Sanctuary, Dembwa Falls, Bura Mission Church, Vuria Hill, Taita Hills, Wesu Rock, Taita Rocks Hotel, Malowa's Shrine, Taita Skull Caves, Taita Research Station, Kilangarenyi Falls, Ngangao Forest, Kenyatta Caves, Mount Sagalla, Rev. Wray Memorial Museum, Ngutuni Wildlife Sanctuary, Volunteer International Camp Tsavo, Mount Kasigau, Kasigau Base Camp, The Maungu Plains, Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary, Wushumbu Conservancy, Teita Sisal Estate, Mbulia Conservancy, Tsavo East National Park, Ithumba Elephant Nursery, Yatta Plateau, Tsavo Springs, Emusaya Wilderness Arc, Galdessa Little Camp, Lugard's Falls, Mudanda Rock, Voi War Cemetery, Lion Hill Lodge, Kanderi Swamp, Voi Wildlife Lodge, Aruba Dam, A. Aruba Lodge, Nyiri Desert

Know More About Taita Taveta County: Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

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