Background of Evergreen Parish
The land on which the Parish stands today was donated in 1995 to PCEA Head Office by the family of the Late Hon. Zachariah Gakunju. We are indeed grateful to the family of the Late Hon. Gakunju for this kind gesture. May the Almighty God continue blessing the family. The Parish Session of PCEA St. Andrews Church under the leadership of The Very Rev. Dr. George E. Wanjau assigned Elders Crispus Karingithi, Loise Mereka, Dr. James Kamunge and the late Joseph Kamere to spearhead the planting of a church at Evergreen. Elder Miriam Gachago later joined them. 30 members of PCEA St. Andrews Church from Districts 4 & 5 transferred to PCEA Evergreen Church and were among the first members. A number of families from other parishes also joined the church at inception.
Launching of PCEA Evergreen Church
Mission activities were undertaken in the surrounding neighbourhoods of Evergreen and Runda Estates as well as Kiambu Road. On 2nd Sept 2001, PCEA Evergreen Church was officially launched and those present were The Very Rev. Dr. George E. Wanjau, Rev. Gibson Gichuki, Rev. Julius Mbugua, Rev. Patrick Muriithi, Elder Peter Kamau the then Chairman of Milimani Presbytery Mission and Evangelism amongst others . Rev. Gibson Gichuki gave the first sermon.
From a Tent to a Sanctuary
During the first 6 months, the church services were conducted in a tent which was pitched every Sunday. The church reclaimed the land from a marshy ground and in February 2002, through God’s providence and tireless efforts of church members we were able to move from a tent to the current sanctuary which had an initial capacity of 300 worshipers. In February 2010 we enlarged the church to accommodate 500 worshipers. Part of the enlarged church includes the Vestry and several offices.
From a Caravan to an Administration Block
Initially the Vestry, Minister’s and Evangelist’s offices and a smaller compartment that served as kitchen were all housed in an old Caravan that had been graciously donated by a church member. The Caravan is still in use at PCEA Beaulah as a Vestry! As the church grew, the leadership of the church moved into the next developmental phase of constructing an Administration block.
In August 2006, the then Moderator of PCEA St. Andrews church, Rev. Dr. Patrick Mungiriria conducted a ground breaking ceremony to start the construction work of the Administration block. The building was officially opened by Rev. Emmanuel Nkoitiko on 1st November 2009. The now imposing one story building has among others, the Moderator and other offices, Boardroom, Accounts office, several halls and a model Woman Guilds kitchen.
From a Local Church of St. Andrews Parish to PCEA Evergreen Parish
PCEA Evergreen church was initially a congregation in PCEA St. Andrews Parish. Rev. Alphama Kinyua, a lecturer at St. Paul’s University performed pastoral duties of the church on part time basis as an institutional minister. She continues being a member of PCEA Evergreen church pastoral team to date.
On 1st August 2005, Rev. Emmanuel Nkoitiko joined PCEA St. Andrews Parish as a student minister. He was later ordained as a minister and assigned pastoral oversight of PCEA Evergreen congregation. The church registered impressive growth in membership and was upgraded to a Deacons’ Court on 15th June 2008 by the Presbytery of Milimani. Rev. Emanuel Nkoitiko was appointed the Deacons’ Court First Moderator.
Another major milestone was to be achieved on 15th November 2009, when the Moderator of the 19th General Assembly, Rt. Rev. David Riitho Gathanju upgraded the Deacons’ Court to a fully-fledged Parish. The historic upgrade ceremony was witnessed by many guests and the program was lead by Rev. Elias Agola, the Moderator of Presbytery of Milimani.
The Iconic Sanctuary
With the rapid increase in number of the Evergeen Congregation, there was need to expand the parish. This led to the conceptualization, design and eventually the groundbreaking of the New Sanctuary to be built at Evergreen.
The groundbreaking was held on 25th March, 2018 in an event graced by H.E The Deputy President, William Ruto. Accompanying him were area leaders led by Governor- Hon. Mike Sonko, Senator- Hon. Johnson Sakaja and MP- Hon. Jim Wanyonyi among others. Read more about the sanctuary.
