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The idea of starting the church was first mooted in 1952 at which time Kenya was a British colony. A small group of British settlers coming from congregational denominations felt the need to come together for worship and communion simply as fellow Christians in disregard of denominational barriers.
They therefore registered the “The Nairobi Undenominational Church” and began holding their services at the old Girl Guide’s Headquarters, Arboretum. In the course of time, the church members began to routinely refer to it as “The Nairobi Chapel”, a name that has stuck to date.
Plymouth Brethren flavour
From the very outset, the chapel took on a “Plymouth Brethren” flavour, focusing strongly on evangelism and bible exposition. It quickly became famous for its evangelistic Sunday evening program “The Gospel Hour” which featured regularly on the Voice of Kenya radio service (Now KBC). Multitudes, including children heard the gospel and gave their lives to the Lord.
 The small church grew rapidly, and in 1955, with the old venue bursting at the seams, they constructed and moved to a larger one on Mamlaka road, on the outer reaches of Nairobi.
Wind of change
During this period, a strong wind of change was blowing across Kenya. The struggle for independence by the local African people had gained momentum, prompting the British government to declare a state of emergency. Scores of British army personnel were suddenly brought into the country to quell the uprising and preserve the status quo.
It so happened that the chapel became a place where many of them came frequently to hear the gospel. This sudden influx of new members led to the expansion of the new chapel.
In 1957 the church reached an important milestone when it started a Sunday school to cater for the growing number of children. This venture turned out and continues to be one of the chapel’s main hallmarks.
Change of fortunes
The 60s however ushered in a new era that had a direct bearing on the chapel’s change of fortunes. Following Kenya’s independence, a succession of events in the country’s history precipitated a downward spiral in the church’s membership. Chief among them was the decision by a majority of the church members consisting largely of the British settler community and army personnel to return to their homeland.
The situation was further exacerbated by the sudden burst of growth of Nairobi city. The chapel which hitherto had been in the middle of a residential area, suddenly found itself flanked by the University of Nairobi and a stone’s throw away from the city center. Many of its members moved away to outlying suburbs and began attending church there.
This downward trend continued well into the 70s with various attempts to attract new members only managing to have an ephemeral effect. In spite of these setbacks, all was not lost for the chapel, for it continued to maintain two of its distinctive features – a strong children’s ministry and strong evangelistic teaching from the pulpit that continued to feature on radio.
Divine intervention
By the end of 1988, church numbers had reached their nadir, with only 20 members in attendance. This grave situation brought home to the leadership the need to seek divine intervention to determine the future of the church. After 6 months of prayer, they felt that God was calling them to request assistance from an independent, African-led church in Nairobi that would:
- Maintain the chapel’s strong teaching ministry
- Lend leadership and help bring about church revival by reaching out to the surrounding communities, especially the University of Nairobi
- Help indigenize the chapel’s leadership and congregation.
In the month of November 1989, the chapel took its first step on the road to recovery by entering into partnership with Nairobi Baptist church. About 7 families, led by the present Senior Pastor Oscar Muriu and his wife Beatrice were sent to the chapel under the oversight of Pastor Mutava Musyimi. And so, together with the other members they immediately embarked on the task of reviving the church.
Begun to bear fruit
Within no time, the fresh efforts began to bear fruit. Many young families, attracted by the excellent Sunday school program, strong pulpit ministry, and the addition of a vibrant worship service spiced with contemporary music, began streaming into the church. Before long, the sanctuary was full again and new ministries were established in the areas of discipleship, community outreach to the poor and counseling.
In just one year, the church membership had quadrupled. With the numbers on the upturn and the church on course to a full recovery, the chapel felt sufficiently revived to continue well. The joint venture that had brought about the much-needed fillip came to an end, and Pastor Oscar was asked to assume full pastoral duties.
By 1993, even with 2 services, the church facilities could no longer cope with the upsurge in attendance. A decision was quickly made to expand the building so as to double its capacity. Temporary Sunday school classes were also built to accommodate the growing number of children.
In leaps and bounds
Over the next decade, the Chapel grew in leaps and bounds, necessitating the holding of 7 weekend services to accommodate the 3000 adults and 800 children who were in attendance. But along with this growth, came a heavy church work load. To cope, the chapel began to facilitate a fulltime Christian ministries leadership development program and to sponsor bible students to theological college.
While roughly 80 people have since graduated from the leadership program, 25 others have graduated from theological institutions. Many of them have gone on to serve the Lord in various capacities and Para church organizations.
In Keeping with its strong evangelical fervour, the church sent out many short and long term missionaries and started many new innovative ministries including 19 churches, 2 health clinics within the slums of Nairobi, a street children outreach, a halfway house ministry, a nursery and primary school and a now independent HIV/AIDS ministry.
Our vision
All this is just but the beginning. Plans are underway to harness and maximize the chapel’s full potential so as to realize our vision for the future. It includes planting a total of 300 churches around the globe by 2020, starting up institutions that facilitate the preaching of the gospel (e.g. schools, a bible school, a printing press, a music studio, etc.), sending out missionaries to other continents and opening up new frontiers for the gospel.
More recently (2000), the chapel took a great step forward when it acquired a 14 acre piece of land. But our plans to relocate suffered a temporary set back owing to a government ban on construction in the area.
Faced with the critical question of ‘what next’ and seeing that we had maxed out our Sunday capacity for growth, the church elders resolved to subdivide the congregation into 5 units under the 5 pastors on staff. They were then sent out as new churches, complete with new names to different corners of the city.
The Mavuno Chapel, led by Pastor Murithi Wanjau, was sent out to start a congregation on the south side of Nairobi (Mombasa Rd.). They presently meet at South C sports club and have an attendance of over 600 adults and 100 children.
The Mashariki Chapel was sent to the east side of Nairobi (Jogoo Rd.). With a congregation of 150 adults, it is a relatively small church but with the largest potential for growth, given that it is located in one of the fastest growing sections of Nairobi whose inhabitants are predominately youthful. They presently meet at Jam Rescue club and are led by Pastor Gowi Odera (the chapel’s former youth pastor).
The Covenant Chapel moved to a predominately Asian neighbourhood on the west side of Nairobi (Waiyaki way). Pastor David Gichugu leads the church comprising about 250 adults and 50 children. They congregate at Hospital hill school.
The church that occupies the old Nairobi Chapel premises was renamed Mamlaka Hill Chapel. Led by Pastor Charles Nganga, it continues to have a large student attendance. The members comprising 1500 adults and 150 children attend 5 church services (Thursday and Sunday) between them.
As for the old Nairobi Chapel congregation, led by Pastor Oscar, their mandate was to continue the history of the church and retain the name. The church presently meets at Impala Club (Ngong Rd.) and has an attendance of about 1000 adults and 250 children.
The Chapel has since re-teamed-up with 2 other churches planted earlier, viz., Karura community Chapel and Life spring Chapel. The 7 churches which are similar in constitution are poised to work together closely and pursue a joint vision.
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