ST. MARTIN DE TOURS WIYUMIRIRIE CATHOLIC PARISH

Basic Parish Information

Parish Name: St. Martin de Tours Wiyumiririe Catholic Parish

Patron Saint: St. Martin de Tours

Date Established: 2014

About the Parish

Brief History

St. Martin de Tours Wiyumiririe Catholic Parish is located in Laikipia East Sub-County, Laikipia County, along the Nyeri–Nyahururu Road, northwest of Nyeri Town. The parish is one of the constituent parishes of Gatarakwa Deanery within the Archdiocese of Nyeri.

The Catholic community in Wiyumiririe traces its origins to around 1977, when it was established as a local church. As migration into the area increased and new settlement schemes developed, the Catholic population within both Nyahururu Catholic Parish and the neighbouring Gatarakwa Catholic Parish grew significantly. This growth created the need for a feasibility study to establish a new parish that would better serve the expanding Christian community.

Following the establishment of Ndaragwa Catholic Parish, Wiyumiririe became one of its local churches. Later, after the creation of the Diocese of Nyahururu, St. Martin de Tours Wiyumiririe was transferred to Mugunda Catholic Parish under the Archdiocese of Nyeri.

In 2014, Wiyumiririe was officially carved out of Mugunda Catholic Parish and elevated to the status of a parish. At its inception, the new parish comprised five local churches:

• St. Martin de Tours Wiyumiririe (Parish Centre)
• St. Mother Teresa Makutano
• St. Joseph Kaniki
• St. Monica South Imenti
• St. Peter Nyakinyua

Since then, the parish has continued to grow through evangelization and pastoral outreach. Today, it comprises eight local churches, following the establishment of:

• Blessed Irene Mwihoko
• St. John Paul II Metha
• St. Patrick Ihigaini

The parish continues to strengthen the faith of its members through vibrant liturgical celebrations, catechesis, pastoral care, and active participation in Small Christian Communities. Guided by the spirit of synodality, St. Martin de Tours Wiyumiririe Catholic Parish remains committed to proclaiming the Gospel and serving the spiritual and pastoral needs of God’s people.

Vision

To be an exemplary parish in offering pastoral services to Christians and all people of goodwill in the spirit of synodality.

Mission

To proclaim the Kingdom of God through evangelization and pastoral care, guided by the values of the Gospel.

Core Values

• Compassion
• Kindness
• Honesty
• Self-reliance
• Gratitude
• Teamwork

Notable Milestones and Achievements

Since its establishment, St. Martin de Tours Wiyumiririe Catholic Parish has continued to witness steady growth in both its spiritual and pastoral life. Some of its notable milestones and achievements include:

• Growth in the administration of the Sacraments, particularly Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Matrimony.
• Strengthening of spiritual life through active pious groups, Bible reading and Bible study programmes, Sunday Adoration, and other devotional activities.
• Development of parish infrastructure, including the Parish Office, Front Gate, Bookshop, Parish Missionary Council (PMC) Hall, Garage, and improved church environment.
• Consistent compliance with Archdiocesan pastoral programmes and observances, including Family Day and other diocesan initiatives.
• Continued growth in parish membership through evangelization, increased participation in piety groups, and the reception of new members into the Catholic faith.

Worship & Sacraments

Mass Schedule (Parish Centre)

Monday – Saturday

• 7:00 a.m.

Sunday

• 7:30 a.m. – Kiswahili Mass
• 9:30 a.m. – Kikuyu Mass

Confession

• Every Thursday: 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Eucharistic Adoration

• Every Thursday: 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Holy Hour: 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m.

Outstations

1. St. Martin de Tours Wiyumiririe (Parish Centre)
2. St. John Paul II Metha
3. Blessed Irene Mwihoko
4. St. Patrick Ihigaini
5. St. Mother Teresa Makutano
6. St. Joseph Kaniki
7. St. Monica Imenti
8. St. Peter Nyakinyua

Small Christian Communities (45)

St. Martin de Tours Wiyumiririe Local Church

1. St. Agatha
2. St. Agnes
3. Blessed Irene
4. St. Benedict
5. St. Francis of Assisi
6. St. Gregory the Great
7. St. Joseph
8. St. Lucy
9. St. Monica
10. St. Martin de Tours
11. Mary Mother of God
12. Our Lady of Fatima
13. St. Stephen
14. St. Veronica

St. John Paul II Metha Local Church

1. St. Charles Lwanga
2. St. Dominic
3. Mary Immaculate
4. St. Peter

Blessed Irene Mwihoko Local Church

1. St. Augustine
2. St. Charles Lwanga
3. St. James
4. St. John
5. St. Peter
6. St. Paul
7. St. Teresa

St. Patrick Ihigaini Local Church

1. St. Catherine of Siena
2. St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Mother Teresa Makutano Local Church

1. St. Andrew
2. St. Francis of Assisi
3. St. John the Baptist
4. St. Joseph
5. St. Maria Goretti
6. Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
7. St. Teresa

St. Joseph Kaniki Local Church

1. St. Joseph
2. St. Lucy
3. St. Paul
4. St. Peter

St. Monica Imenti Local Church

1. St. Anne
2. St. Anthony
3. St. Augustine
4. St. Catherine of Siena

St. Peter Nyakinyua Local Church

1. St. Charles Lwanga
2. St. Peter
3. St. Teresa

Institutions Under the Parish

At present, St. Martin de Tours Wiyumiririe Catholic Parish does not have any institutions under its administration.

• Schools: None
• Hospitals: None
• Children’s Homes: None
• Religious Houses: None
• Training Centres: None
• Other Church Institutions: None

Mweiga Catholic Parish

Basic Parish Information

• Parish Name: Mweiga Catholic Parish

• Patron Saint (Titular): Blessed Virgin Mary (Theotokos)

• Date Established: 1956

About the Parish

Brief Parish History

Mweiga Catholic Parish was established in 1956 and is one of the oldest parishes in Gatarakwa Deanery. It is situated near Mweiga Town in Kieni West Sub-County, Nyeri County, approximately 14 kilometres from Nyeri Town. The parish was initially founded to serve the European settlers in the area before gradually opening its doors to the local African Christian community.

The first Parish Priest was Rev. Fr. Maraner, who laid the foundation for evangelization in the region. Over the years, the parish has been served by many dedicated priests, including His Lordship Bishop Joseph Mbatia, who served as Parish Priest between 1990 and 2001 before being appointed Bishop. The current Parish Priest is Rev. Fr. Samuel Njigua, who has been serving since 2023.

The parish traces its origins to Mweiga Primary School, where one classroom was initially used for worship. As the Christian community expanded, a semi-permanent church was constructed before a permanent church was completed in 1957 with support from European benefactors. The church was officially opened by Bishop Cavarela and later consecrated on 4 January 2016 by Archbishop Emeritus Peter Kairo.

Over the decades, Mweiga Parish has experienced remarkable growth. From a single worship centre, it has expanded to 20 prayer houses and successfully gave birth to Endarasha Catholic Parish in 1998 to meet the growing pastoral needs of the faithful. The parish continues to attract new converts into the Catholic faith and has administered the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, and Matrimony to thousands of Christians.

Mission

To proclaim the Gospel of Christ, strengthen the faith of God’s people through the Sacraments, and promote holistic Christian formation and service.

Vision

To be a vibrant Christ-centred parish fostering evangelization, unity, spiritual growth, and compassionate service.

Core Values

• Faith

• Prayer

• Love

• Unity

• Service

• Stewardship

Notable Milestones and Achievements

• Established in 1956.

• Construction of the permanent parish church in 1957.

• Consecration of the parish church on 4 January 2016.

• Gave birth to Endarasha Catholic Parish in 1998.

• Expanded from one worship centre to 20 prayer houses.

• Continued growth through evangelization and administration of the Sacraments.

Worship and Sacraments

Mass Schedule (Parish Centre)

Sunday

• 6:30 a.m. – English Mass

• 8:00 a.m. – Kiswahili Mass

• 10:00 a.m. – Kikuyu Mass

Weekdays

• 6:30 a.m. – Holy Mass

Confessions

• Every Thursday during Perpetual Adoration.

Eucharistic Adoration

• Every Thursday at 12:45 p.m., followed by Holy Mass.

Outstations and Small Christian Communities

Outstations

Small Christian Communities (30)

1. Mweiga Local Church (9 SCCs)

1. St. Bakhita

2. St. Paul

3. Mary Mother

4. Blessed Irene

5. Holy Family

6. St. John Paul II

7. St. Boniface

8. St. Anthony

9. St. Benedict

2. St. Paul of the Cross Njeng’u Local Church (6 SCCs)

1. St. Monica

2. St. Benedict

3. St. John Paul II

4. St. Charles Lwanga

5. St. Peter

6. St. Paul

3. St. John XXIII Solio 4 Local Church (4 SCCs)

1. St. Monica

2. St. Peter

3. St. Paul

4. St. Augustine

4. St. Monica Ikumari Local Church (4 SCCs)

1. St. Catherine

2. St. Monica

3. St. Charles Lwanga

4. St. Dominic

5. St. John Kamatongu Local Church (5 SCCs)

1. St. John

2. St. Teresa

3. St. James

4. St. Peter

5. Blessed Irene

6. St. Teresa of Avila Solio 5 Local Church (2 SCCs)

1. St. Jude

2. Sts. Peter and Paul

Institutions Under the Parish

Schools

• Mary Mother Academy (formerly Mweiga Primary School)

Other Church Institutions

• None specified.

ST. CHARLES LWANGA GATARAKWA CATHOLIC PARISH

1. Basic Parish Information

Parish Name: St. Charles Lwanga Gatarakwa Catholic Parish

Patron Saint: St. Charles Lwanga

Date Established: 1958

2. About the Parish

Brief Parish History

St. Charles Lwanga Gatarakwa Catholic Parish is one of the historic parishes within the Archdiocese of Nyeri and serves as the headquarters of Gatarakwa Deanery. The parish traces its roots to the early evangelization efforts of the Italian Consolata Missionaries who introduced the Catholic faith to the region in the early twentieth century.

The parish was officially established in 1958 after being carved out of Mweiga Catholic Mission. Its foundation was spearheaded by Rev. Fr. Marlane and Rev. Fr. Briganti, whose missionary dedication laid the foundation for the growth of the Catholic faith in the Kieni region.

Over the years, the Catholic population continued to increase, making Gatarakwa Parish an important centre of evangelization and pastoral ministry. Through its missionary outreach, the parish has given birth to several daughter parishes, namely:

• Sirima Parish

• Karemeno Parish

• Mugunda Parish

• Wiyumiririe Parish

• Kamariki Parish

Today, St. Charles Lwanga Gatarakwa Parish remains a vibrant Christian community with nine outstations, served by two priests and supported by dedicated catechists who play a vital role in evangelization, catechesis, and pastoral care.

Beyond its spiritual mission, the parish has established a strong legacy of supporting the local community through youth formation, care for vulnerable members of society, faith formation, and holistic community development. Under the pastoral leadership of Archbishop Anthony Muheria, the parish continues to strengthen Christian values while promoting social and environmental stewardship throughout Gatarakwa Deanery.

Mission Statement

To promote spiritual growth through evangelization, community outreach, and holistic Christian formation.

Vision Statement

To be a Christ-centred parish anchored in holistic faith formation, evangelization, and a participative Christian community.

Core Values

• Faith

• Hope

• Charity

• Humility

• Self-denial

• Compassion

• Unity

Notable Milestones and Achievements

• Established as one of the pioneer parishes in the Kieni region in 1958.

• Successfully gave rise to five daughter parishes within Gatarakwa Deanery.

• Continues to serve as the pastoral centre of the expansive Gatarakwa Deanery.

• Promotes evangelization alongside holistic and environmentally conscious community development.

• Provides spiritual, moral, and social support to families, youth, and vulnerable members of the community.

3. Worship and Sacraments

Mass Schedule (Parish Centre)

• Sunday Mass: 11:00 a.m.

Confessions

• Saturday: 4:00 p.m.

Eucharistic Adoration

• Sunday: 3:00 p.m.

4. Outstations and Small Christian Communities (SCCs)

Outstations

1. St. Jude

2. Holy Cross

3. St. Augustine

4. Blessed Irene

5. Holy Family

6. Mother Teresa

7. St. John Paul II

8. St. Elizabeth

9. Our Lady of Consolata

Small Christian Communities

1. St. Jude Outstation

• St. Monica

• St. Thomas the Apostle

• St. Padre Pio

• St. Kizito

• St. Athanasius

2. Holy Cross Outstation

• St. Patrick

• St. Dominic

• St. Maximilian Kolbe

• St. Clare

• St. Bernadette

• St. Justin

3. St. Augustine Outstation

• St. George

• St. John Mary Vianney

• St. Philip

• St. Gabriel

• St. Anthony of Padua

• St. Pius

• St. Matthias

• St. Benedict

4. Blessed Irene Outstation

• St. Bridget

• St. Mary Magdalene

• St. Rita

5. Holy Family Outstation

• St. Joseph the Worker

• St. Cyprian

• Our Lady of Fatima

6. Mother Teresa Outstation

• St. Catherine of Siena

• St. Perpetual

• St. Ignatius of Loyola

7. St. John Paul II Outstation

• St. Francis

• St. John Chrysostom

8. St. Elizabeth Outstation

• St. Boniface

• St. Peter

9. Our Lady of Consolata Outstation

• St. Bartholomew

• St. John the Baptist

5. Institutions Under the Parish

Secondary Schools

• St. Augustine Secondary School

• Kimunyuru Secondary School

• St. Bakhita Girls Secondary School

• Bellevue Secondary School

Primary Schools

• St. Rose Catholic Academy

• Embaringo Primary School

• Ngaringiro Primary School

• Bellevue Primary School

• Githura Primary School

Training Centre

• St. Rose Catholic Academy