St. Teresa Equator Catholic Parish

Parish Name: St. Teresa Equator Catholic Parish
Patron Saint: St. Teresa of the Child Jesus
Date Established: November 2010

ABOUT THE PARISH

Brief History

St. Teresa Equator Catholic Church was established in 1933 by the Consolata Missionaries as the centre of Nanyuki Catholic Parish. The first Holy Mass was celebrated on 29 October 1933, and the church remained the Parish Centre until 1954, when the parish headquarters was transferred to Christ the King Catholic Church, Nanyuki.

Following the transfer, the church remained unused until 1968. In 1969, with the support of the late Rev. Fr. Kinyari, St. Teresa Moi Equator Girls’ Secondary School began using the church as its chapel.

In 1987, members of St. Martha Small Christian Community requested the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Ennio Matta, to allow them to use the church for Sunday worship. In August of that year, the church officially became an outstation of Nanyuki Parish, beginning with about 40 Christians. Catechism classes were initiated by dedicated lay Christians led by the late Mary Kinyanjui and Margaret Thangaru, while priests from the Diocese of Marsabit, led by Rev. Fr. Karl Bonnel and later Rev. Fr. Antilio, assisted in celebrating the Holy Eucharist. As the Christian community continued to grow, St. Martha Small Christian Community expanded into six Small Christian Communities, and the congregation increased to approximately 420 faithful.

A major milestone was achieved in November 2010, when His Grace Archbishop Emeritus Peter Kairo officially elevated St. Teresa Catholic Church to the status of a parish. At its establishment, the parish comprised eight outstations, was served by two priests, and Rev. Fr. Boniface Mwangi became its first Parish Priest. Today, the parish has grown to 20 outstations, is served by four priests, and ministers to approximately 6,000 faithful.

The early years of the parish were marked by limited resources. The priests resided in renovated teachers’ quarters, which continue to serve as the parish residence. Initially, pastoral work depended on borrowed vehicles, but through the generosity of the faithful, the parish now owns four pastoral vehicles.

In October 2013, under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Boniface Mwangi, construction of a larger parish church commenced. The project has been made possible through the unity, commitment, and generosity of the parishioners and well-wishers. The church was consecrated in 2019.

Today, St. Teresa Equator Catholic Parish stands as a vibrant Christian community dedicated to evangelization, sacramental life, and compassionate service, continually giving thanks to God for His abundant blessings and guidance throughout its journey of faith.

Vision

A vibrant Christ-centred parish family, growing in holiness, united in faith, and witnessing God’s love through evangelization and service.

Mission

To proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ through prayer, celebration of the Sacraments, evangelization, Christian formation, compassionate service, and stewardship, fostering a united parish community inspired by the spirituality of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus.

Core Values

Faith
Prayer
Love and Charity
Unity
Stewardship
Integrity
Service
Holiness
Justice and Peace
Excellence

Notable Milestones and Achievements

Milestones

Establishment of St. Teresa Catholic Church in 1933 by the Consolata Missionaries.
Celebration of the first Holy Mass on 29 October 1933.
Transfer of the Parish Centre to Christ the King Catholic Church, Nanyuki, in 1954.
Revival of the church as the chapel for St. Teresa Moi Equator Girls’ Secondary School in 1969.
Re-establishment as an outstation of Nanyuki Parish in 1987.
Growth of Small Christian Communities from one to several vibrant communities.
Elevation to parish status in November 2010.
Appointment of Rev. Fr. Boniface Mwangi as the first Parish Priest.
Expansion from 8 to 20 outstations.
Growth from approximately 1,200 families to about 6,000 faithful.
Increase in clergy from two priests to four priests.
Commencement of the construction of the new parish church in 2013.
Consecration of the new church in 2019.
Acquisition of four pastoral vehicles to strengthen evangelization and pastoral outreach.

Achievements

Over fifteen years of parish ministry and evangelization.
Establishment and strengthening of vibrant Small Christian Communities.
Promotion of vocations to the priesthood and religious life, producing three priests, four sisters, and three seminarians.
Development of active lay leadership through the Parish Pastoral Council and various ministries.
Successful implementation of parish development projects.
Sustained charitable outreach and community service.
Establishment and upgrading of the Adoration Chapel.
Introduction of Eucharistic Adoration in the outstations.
Establishment of a parish grotto.
Enhancement of church aesthetics.
Upgrading of outstations from semi-permanent to permanent structures.
Ensuring regular Sunday Masses across the parish.
Improvement of school infrastructure.

Worship and Sacraments

Mass Schedule (Parish Centre)

Monday–Saturday

6:45 a.m.

Sunday

7:00 a.m. – English
9:00 a.m. – Kiswahili
11:00 a.m. – Kikuyu

Confession

Every Saturday: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Adoration

Thursday: 6:00 a.m.
Sunday: 3:00 p.m.

Parish Outstations and Small Christian Communities

Outstations

St. Teresa Equator
St. John Paul II
St. Francis of Assisi – Airstrip
St. Francis of Assisi – Sweetwaters
St. Joseph the Worker (Ruai)
St. Joseph Karandi
Our Lady of Divine Providence
St. Luke Yard
St. Jude Mwea B
St. John Huku
St. Veronica Njogu-ini
St. Paul Marura
Blessed Irene
St. Francis Xavier Ichuga
St. Anthony of Padua
Mary Mother of God – Burguret
Our Lady of Fatima
St. Andrew Ragati
St. Catherine of Siena
St. Benedict Monastery

Total Outstations: 20

Small Christian Communities

The parish comprises 112 Small Christian Communities distributed across the 20 outstations.

Institutions under the Parish

Schools

St. Bakhita Equator School, Nanyuki