P.C.E.A DR ARTHUR PARISH
Our
Story
Get to Know Our History
The history of P.C.E.A Dr. Arthur Parish begun in 1937 when Mr Wallace Wamagata and Mr Nehemiah Wachira met in Nakuru town and agreed to search for a place where they would be holding prayers in the town. Mr Wamagata was from P.C.E.A Thogoto while Mr Wachira was from P.C.E.A Nyeri.
They identified people who had come from Kiambu and Nyeri so that they could join together and start holding prayers on Sundays at Mr Wamagata´s home. They started baptism classes in 19th December 1937. By then they called the church P.C.E.A Nakuru Town. In the same year 1937, the worshippers requested the then moderator of Elburgon Kirk session, Rev. Josiah Kang´ethe to come and officially open a place to worship in Nakuru Town, in which he did
As the time went by, the worshippers increased and they were forced to talk with the Anglican Church (CMS) brethren’s to allow them to use their hall in the afternoon hours only.
After two years they got another place of worship in Kambi Somali where they relocated and worshipped there for seven years.
The number of membership continued to increase and they shifted again to Bondeni Primary School where they were given a classroom to worship in. They continued with baptismal classes.
The first brethren to be confirmed was the late Elder Jason Wang´ombe. On 12th December 1946, a sub-committee of Kirk session of 12 Elders from Subukia and Elburgon, met in Nakuru under Rev. Ishmael Wango´s chairmanship to discuss the creation and appointment of Rift Valley Presbytery.
Kirk session proposed that a land be searched for building a church and be used as Rift Valley Presbytery Headquarters. In 1948, Rev. Phillip was posted in Nakuru being the first Reverend in Nakuru. During this time the church got its land. In 1953, the Church moved from Bondeni Primary School to Menengai Social Hall and Rev. John Kihenjo was ordained as a Priest.
Rev. DR.J.W. ARTHUR
On 5th December 1954, Rev Dougal the Secretary General of P.C.E.A was brought in Nakuru after proposal of the Moderator The Rt. Rev. Dr. Calderwood. Moderator of the Presbytery, Rev Phillip planted a tree on the church ground as a sign of commemoration. They were together with the Presbytery members, Rev John Kihenjo (Parish Minister), Justus Kuria, Hiram Mundia and Rev Edward N. Njoroge from Subukia.
In 1957 the Construction of the old church was started under the leadership of Rev. John Kihenjo, Mr Gilbert Thuo, Mr Fredrick N. Ndoro, Mr Wallace Wamagata, Mr Jason Wangombe and Mr Benjamin among others
The laying of the stone was done by Rt. Rev. R. MACPHERSON Moderator of P.C.E.A General Assembly in 19th April 1959 and the church was officially named Rev. Dr. J.W. Arthur Memorial Church in commemoration of Rev. Dr. Arthur, the first missionary to Thogoto from Scotland.
By then Rev. Dr. Arthur Memorial Church was under P.C.E.A Nakuru Parish in the Rift Valley Presbytery.
Many brethren’s volunteered in church building without payment. They included masonries like Mr. David Manga and Mr. Benjamin Kingori who used to assist in building the church after their working duties.
Many Europeans like Mr. Seya and Mr. Peter Erickson, assisted in laying building stones, sand and even paying for transportation of other building materials. Ladies also participated in the church building.
They included the pioneers of Woman´s Guild, like Elizabeth, Florence Maringa, Teresia Wangéra, Milkah Wamagata, Phillis Zakaria, Elizabeth Wakaridi, Esther Ngonyo, Elizabeth Njeri, Rakeri Musa, Janet Wamaitha, Lydia Wanjiru and Margaret Wambui among others.
The number of brethren’s increased and they fellowshipped together in the Love of Jesus Christ. Later, an idea of building the Minister´s house came up. Rev. John Kihenjo who was living in Elburgon supervised the process which took place between the year 1961-1962. The Minister moved to the house after its completion.
After a while, Rev. Kihenjo was transferred and Rev. E.N.S. Njoroge came and served for two years. He was transferred and replaced by Rev. Timothy Ngumba. During this period, some Elders were elected to assist in serving The Lord. They included Mr. Peter Karanja Kagia, Mr Benjamin Kingori, Paul and Mr. David Mariga