HOLY FAMILY IRIGITHATHI CATHOLIC PARISH

1. Basic Parish Information

Parish Name: Holy Family Irigithathi Catholic Parish

Patron Saint: Holy Family

Date Established: 1970

2. About the Parish

Brief Parish History

Holy Family Irigithathi Catholic Parish is situated in Kieni East Sub-County, Kieni Constituency, Nyeri County, within the Archdiocese of Nyeri. The parish was established in 1970, having been carved out of Nanyuki Catholic Parish, and was entrusted to the pastoral care of the Bonafide Missionary Fathers from Italy. The first priest in charge was Rev. Fr. Dante Spagnol.

The land on which the parish stands forms part of 20 acres purchased in 1969 by the late Bishop Caesar Maria Gatimu, with the support of local Christians, particularly Mr. Leonard Njiru, who served as the area Settlement Officer. Before becoming a church, the site was a community milk factory that produced cheese, cream, and milk powder. The former milk powder building was renovated and served as the parish’s first place of worship until the construction of the present church in 1987.

Guided by the Holy Spirit, the missionary priests tirelessly proclaimed the Gospel, resulting in a steady growth of the Christian community. They were greatly assisted by dedicated local catechists, including Mr. Joseph Kibutu and the late Mr. Phillipino Ndegwa, among others.

In 1993, the Bonafide Missionaries handed over the parish to the diocesan clergy, and Rev. Fr. Gabriel Gichuki became the first diocesan parish priest. Since then, several priests have faithfully served the parish, strengthening its pastoral ministry and evangelization.

The parish has also been blessed with numerous religious vocations.

Priests from the Parish

  • Rev. Fr. Boniface Mwangi

  • Rev. Fr. Anthony Mugi

  • Rev. Fr. Joseph Kibutu

  • Rev. Fr. Kennedy Kamanu

  • Rev. Fr. James Wahome (Late)

Religious Sisters

  • Sr. Rose Mwangi

  • Sr. Lillian

  • Sr. Cecelia

  • Sr. Rose Warutere

  • Sr. Ann

  • Sr. Susan Patricia Waithiegani

  • Sr. Mary Mugure

  • Sr. Waigumo

Over the years, the parish has nurtured vibrant lay apostolates and associations, including the Catholic Men Association (CMA), Catholic Women Association (CWA), Catholic Action (CA), Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, Youth, Junior Youth, Pontifical Missionary Childhood (PMC), and various parish choirs, all of which continue to enrich the spiritual life of the parish.

Mission Statement

To serve the Kingdom of God with devotion, without discrimination or becoming weary.

Vision Statement

To continue helping more people to know, love, and serve God despite the challenges encountered.

Core Values

  • Devotion

  • Hard Work

  • Respect

  • Commitment

Notable Milestones and Achievements

Since its establishment in 1970, the parish has experienced remarkable growth, including:

  • Significant increase in the number of Christian faithful.

  • Celebration of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, Matrimony, and Holy Orders.

  • Establishment of new outstations to expand pastoral outreach.

  • Founding of St. Lwanga Naromoru Academy as a mission school.

  • Construction of a new parish priest’s residence (Father’s House).

3. Worship and Sacraments

Mass Schedule

Weekdays

  • 7:00 a.m. (English/Kiswahili)

Sundays

  • 7:00 a.m. (English/Kiswahili)

  • 9:30 a.m. (Kikuyu)

Confessions

  • Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

  • Thursday: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Eucharistic Adoration

  • Every Thursday: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

4. Outstations and Small Christian Communities (SCCs)

Outstations

  1. St. Anthony of Padua Kahuho

  2. Holy Family Irigithathi

  3. St. Francis of Assisi Aguthi

  4. St. Michael Njoguini

  5. St. Peter Kamburaini

  6. St. Monica Kambi

  7. St. Stephen Kiambiriria

  8. St. Teresa Mwicwiri

  9. Mary Mother of God Manyatta

  10. St. Ann Kabendera

  11. St. Luke Karima-ini

  12. St. Lawrence Kimbo

  13. St. Phillip Gitinga

  14. St. Boniface Murungaru

  15. St. Joseph Mugunyu

Small Christian Communities

1. St. Anthony of Padua Kahuho

  • St. Mulumba

  • St. Charles Lwanga

  • St. Francis

  • Sts. Joachim and Anne

  • St. John the Baptist

  • St. Clare

  • St. Cecilia

  • St. Elizabeth

2. Holy Family Irigithathi

  • St. Joseph

  • St. Paul

  • St. James

  • St. Benedict

  • St. Kizito

  • St. Stephen

3. St. Francis of Assisi Aguthi

  • St. Monica

  • St. Martin

  • St. Catherine

  • St. Mary

  • St. Paul

  • St. Peter

  • St. Charles Lwanga

  • St. Andrew

4. St. Michael Njoguini

  • St. Peter

  • St. Paul

  • St. Anne

5. St. Peter Kamburaini

  • Angel Gabriel

  • St. Monica

  • St. Jude

  • St. James

  • St. Cecilia

  • Blessed Irene

6. St. Monica Kambi

  • St. Peter

  • St. Patrick

  • Our Lady of Sorrows

  • St. Augustine

7. St. Stephen Kiambiriria

  • St. Luke

  • St. Teresa

  • St. Joseph

  • St. Mulumba

8. St. Teresa Mwicwiri

  • St. Augustine

  • St. Patrick

  • St. Monica

  • St. Charles Lwanga

  • St. Stephen

  • St. Francis

9. Mary Mother of God Manyatta

  • St. Felister

  • St. Teresa

  • St. Monica

  • St. Christopher

  • St. Kizito

  • St. Mary

  • St. Benedict

10. St. Ann Kabendera

  • St. Mary

  • St. Elizabeth

  • Sacred Heart

  • St. Philip

  • St. Anthony

11. St. Luke Karima-ini

  • St. Catherine

  • St. Thomas

  • St. Mark

12. St. Lawrence Kimbo

  • St. Joseph

  • St. Agatha

  • St. Matthew

  • St. Lydia

13. St. Phillip Gitinga

  • St. Clare

  • St. Joseph

  • Sts. Joachim and Anne

  • St. Charles Lwanga

14. St. Boniface Murungaru

  • St. Joseph

  • St. John Mary Vianney

  • St. Jude

15. St. Joseph Mugunyu

  • St. Monica

  • St. Teresa

5. Institutions Under the Parish

Mission / Sponsored Schools

  • Irigithathi Primary School

  • Irigithathi Secondary School

  • St. Monica Munyaka Girls School

  • Kamburaini Primary School

  • Kamburaini Secondary School

  • St. Lwanga Naromoru Academy

Hospitals / Dispensaries

  • Naromoru Catholic Dispensary

Children’s Home

  • Elizabeth Vendramin Children’s Home

Religious Houses

  • Franciscan Elizabethan Sisters

  • Carmelite Fathers