Historic Churches in Mombasa

ACK Emmanuel Church Kengeleni: Frere Town

1 km past Nyali Bridge to the side of Nyali (Ras Kisauni) Road is the historic A.C.K Emmanuel Church which evokes a sense of heritage undeniably more than any other in Mombasa. Completed in 1889, Emmanuel Kengeleni is the second oldest church in Kenya following St. Paul’s Rabai. The two were established by pioneer Church Missionary Society (CMS) missionaries in Kenya. While St Paul’s Rabai was founded to serve African communities in the interior, Emmanuel Church Kengeleni was inspired and founded to serve spiritual needs of the freed slaves settlement or Frere town. The area around Kengeleni was prior known as Frere town to boot.

Frere was named after Sir Bartle Frere, who was vital in the de-establishment of Zanzibar slave trade. Although Mombasa was not a prominent station for slave trade, it was a spiffing hub for exchange. Lucky slaves on board cargo ships that were ambushed by the Royal Navy were moved to Frere town. Beside its core ecclesiastical function, it is a salient landmark, yet, since its inception, it has faced a historic crisis of identity among the freed slaves and of the public. Its leadership, once solely in the hands of the descendants of freed slaves, slowly changed hands as the new comers came in and outnumbered the native Frere town community.

The iconic ACK Emmanuel Church is built within a few hundred yards of the white tombstone that marks the spot where Mrs. Krapf and her new-born infant were buried. Later, Krapf moved to the higher area of Rabai, on the coastal hills, where he started a station. It is here that Johann L. Krapf finally translated the English to Swahili Dictionary and later Arabic and Roman scriptures to Swahili. He studied several African languages, drafting dictionaries and translating scriptures. As a passionate explorer, Krapf made history as the foremost European to sight the snowcapped Mount Kenya atop Yatta Plateau on his maiden journey to Ukambani.

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

Well-famous for its rich Swahili culture, stunning beaches, and vibrant nightlife – acclaimed as one of the top destinations in Kenya – Mombasa County is home to Mombasa City, Kenya’s second-largest city and a primary port town that has been a key trade center for centuries. Mombasa County is more than just beaches—it’s a cultural melting pot with history, adventure, and guaranteed coastal vibes.

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A Guide to Mombasa County

A Summa Digest of Mombasa

About Mombasa Way Back When

80 Destinations in Mombasa County , arranged as one would visit these - south, north then east - with the aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:

Arab Rifle's Monument , Buli Monument , Fort Jesus Curio Shop , Camel Joint, Old Town Mombasa , Fort Jesus Museum I World Heritage Site , Mombasa Butterfly House , Santo Antonio de Tanna , Swahili Cultural Center , Sanaa Gallery , Old Port Mombasa , Leven House I Steps , Forodhani Restaurant , The Mandhry Mosque , Burhani Mosque , Tulia Backpackers , Bahdala Mosque , Mazrui Cemetery , Old Law Courts , Treasury Square , Africa Hotel , Kizingo BBQ, St. Joseph's Fort , Ras Serani Lighthouse , Kizingo War Camp , Mombasa Golf Club , Mama Ngina Waterfront Park , Shelly Beach , The Likoni Floating Bridge , Mbaraki Creek, Mombasa Yatch Club , Mbaraki Pillar , The Mombasa Mbaraki Cemetery , The Little Theatre Club , Kilindini Harbour , The Mombasa Memorial Church , The Holy Ghost Catholic Cathedral , Lord Shiva Temple , The Old Mombasa Railway Station , Railways Park , Mombasa African Memorial , Mombasa’s Tusks , Fort Makupa , Kibarani Recreation Park , Akamba Handicraft Shop , Manyimbo War Cemetery , Tudor Water Sports Marina , Nyali Bridge , ACK Emmanuel , The Kengeleni Monument , Bahari Beach Resort , Tamarind Dhow Cruise , Krapf Memorial Heritage Park , Kenyatta Public Beach , Bombolulu Workshop , Haller Park , Mombasa Butterfly Pavilion , Bamburi Rifle Range , Mombasa Go-Kart , Suli Suli Fishing , Nguuni Nature Sanctuary , Mamba Village , Nyali Golf & Country Club , Wild Waters , Nyali Shopping Mall , Mombasa Marine Park I Reserve , Ngomongo Village , Shimo la Tewa Site , The Moorings , La Marina Restaurant

Know More About Mombasa County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - with the aid of a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.01?

Mombasa County can be split into 3 zones: 1. Coastal plain, covering parts the Island; 2. The hilly areas rising gently from 45 ms to 132 ms asl in the west; and 3. The Indian Ocean and the shoreline.

What’s The Air Like In Mombasa?

May is generally the wettest month, then April and June. Average temperatures are always high, rarely falling below 24 o C across the year.

Know More About Mombasa County…

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