Kisumu cathedral built using brick offerings

Located in Kisumu Town, on the Kisumu-Kakamega road, stands St Theresa’s Catholic Cathedral Church, close to the famous Kibuye Market.

The church, built in 1926, started off as Kibuye Mission.

It was initially a catechism centre of St Joseph’s Milimani church, and was reserved for Africans, while the Milimani church served Europeans and Goans.

The Kibuye church’s first priest was Father Sydney Farmer.

In 1929, a convent was built near the church and its first occupants were the Patricroft Sisters from England.

The first church still stands in the compound of St Teresa Girls Secondary School and currently serves as the Kisumu Archdiocese’s printing press.

In 1953, the Kibuye church was elevated to a cathedral and under the patronage of St Therese of The Child Jesus.

The cathedral was designed by an architect known as Dorothy Hughes.

UNIQUE FEATURES
The church’s catechist, Mr Fredrick Otoro, says Hughes drew the cathedral’s first design in 1953 but wasn't happy with it.

“She went back to Europe to study cathedrals; then she came back and drew a second design, which she gave to Brother Andrew Royland. The construction started in 1955,” he says.

The foundation stone was laid by Bishop Fredrick Hall, who blessed it upon its completion and served as the area’s first bishop.

The stained glass windows were made by Brother Joseph Van Heeswijk at Ggaba in Kampala, Uganda.

Kibuye Parish Council secretary Paul Odhiambo says the church’s structure is unique.

“We’ve had students from the country coming to study the style that was used by the Europeans. Recently, we had the Archbishop of Nyeri, Anthony Munyeria, a civil engineer, visit the Kibuye church. He said its roofing style can be found only in Rome, Italy, or in the UK,” he adds.

AFRICAN PRIESTS

No metal was used in constructing the pillars. “The Christians would make the bricks and bring them to the church on Sundays as offering. The bricks were used to build the church. Some offered labour while others offered expertise,” explains Mr Odhiambo.

The church was managed by European Mill Hill Missionaries until early 1970s when Africans took over.

Fathers Pascal Olal, Dominic Owuor and John Mark Opiyo were some of the first African priests ordained and served at Kibuye Cathedral church.

Currently, three masses are celebrated in the cathedral: Dholuo, Kiswahili and English.

The church can comfortably accommodate 1,200 to 1,800 people. “When we have the three masses on Sunday, that's a population of 5,000 to 6,000 people,” says Mr Odhiambo.

Since the National Museums of Kenya recognises the church as a historic building, only slight renovations are allowed.

“We tried to add CCTV cameras and modernise the chairs. Bishop Giorgoni Brandsma (the auxiliary bishop of Kisumu) wanted the windows to remain closed (this design works best in countries that experience winter). Sometimes when we have mass it gets very hot, so we are working on making the windows open,” says the Kibuye Parish secretary.

COME ALL
One notable thing about the church is that there are relics of St Teresa of the Child Jesus at the altar.

She is the cathedral’s patron saint. “Since it is named after St Teresa of the child Jesus, there are some of her relics at the altar,” Mr Otoro offers.

The church bells, the crucifix and some of the old statues were all brought from Rome, Italy.

Kibuye Cathedral has three outstations, namely Magadi Parish, St Theresa’s of Avilla in Flamingo, and St Stephen’s Kirembe, Nyawita Parish.

It is headed by the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Kisumu, Fr Moses Omollo, who is assisted Father Steve Ouma.

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