ST. CYPRIAN KAGICHA CATHOLIC PARISH

1. Basic Parish Information

  • Parish Name: St. Cyprian Kagicha Catholic Parish

  • Patron Saints: St. Cyprian & St. Joseph Cottolengo

  • Date Established: 22 December 2013

2. About the Parish

Brief Parish History

The history of St. Cyprian Kagicha Parish dates back to 1953, when Simon Kiraguri Kamwana, Geoffrey Kibiiri Gachuhi, and Peter Gachu Mugi established the first prayer house on the present parish grounds. Built with mud walls and a thatched roof during the State of Emergency, it became the foundation of the Catholic faith in the area.

Following his release from detention, Simon Kiraguri Kamwana started the first catechism classes. The first group of catechumens was baptized at Gichichi on 23 December 1957. Simon also became one of the first Christians in the area to celebrate a Church wedding before handing over catechetical leadership to Lazaro Muchiri Wainaina in 1959.

In 1970, Kagicha Catholic Church was allocated 2 acres of land (Parcel No. Chinga/Gathira/D401), where the parish still stands today.

The first permanent church was constructed in 1972. As the Christian community continued to grow, construction of a larger church began on 1 December 1987, funded mainly through the generous contributions and self-help efforts of parishioners. After ten years of dedication, the new church was officially opened on 7 December 1997 by Archbishop Nicodemus Kirima during the 10th Anniversary celebrations of Kariko Parish.

In 2013, Archbishop Peter Kairo created Kagicha Parish from Kariko Parish, with Kagicha Local Church becoming the Parish Centre. The first Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Charles Gathenya, initiated preparations for the consecration of the church. His successors, Rev. Fr. Joseph Gatere and Rev. Fr. James Wangai, continued the work, culminating in the solemn consecration of the church by Archbishop Anthony Muheria on 17 September 2023. During the consecration, St. Joseph Cottolengo was officially added as the parish’s second patron saint.

Mission Statement

To be a vibrant, Christ-centred family of God, deeply rooted in the Catholic faith, united in one heart and mind, and reflecting the love of Christ in Chinga and beyond.

Vision Statement

Guided by the Holy Spirit and the teachings of the Church, we dedicate ourselves to active evangelization, nurturing our faith through the Sacraments, strengthening our Small Christian Communities, and serving the vulnerable in the heroic spirit of unity and sacrifice of St. Cyprian.

Motto

Let’s use our talents to glorify God and to serve His Church.

Core Values

  • Evangelization

  • Strengthening of Faith

  • Integrity

  • Honesty

  • Accountability

  • Transparency

  • Responsibility

  • Commitment

  • Active Participation

  • Self-Giving

  • Documentation

  • Teamwork

  • Unity

  • Cooperation

  • Brother’s Keeper

  • Self-Reliance

  • Stewardship

  • Ownership

  • Humility

  • Respect

Notable Milestones and Achievements

  • Acquisition of an additional half-acre of land adjacent to the parish

  • Acquisition of a donated half-acre at Ngaru

  • Three pastoral vehicles

  • Re-establishment of St. Monica Academy

  • Construction of a modern parish hall and offices

3. Worship & Sacraments

Mass Schedule

7:00 a.m.

  • Muirungi Local Church

  • Ngaru Local Church

  • Chinga Girls High School

9:00 a.m.

  • Kagicha Local Church

  • Ciagumba Local Church

  • Mumbuini Local Church

11:00 a.m.

  • Gathabari Local Church

  • Kiang’ombe Local Church

Confession

  • Friday: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Adoration

  • Every Sunday: 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

4. Priests Serving the Parish

  • Rev. Fr. Charles Gathenya – First Parish Priest

  • Rev. Fr. Joseph Gatere – Parish Priest

  • Rev. Fr. James Wangai – Parish Priest

  • Rev. Fr. Joseph Maina – Assistant Parish Priest

5. Vocations from the Parish

Priests

  • Rev. Fr. Francis Kanyari

  • Rev. Fr. Samuel Mutero

  • Rev. Fr. Robert Muthoni

  • Rev. Fr. Timothy Mwago

  • Rev. Fr. Moses Gitau

  • Rev. Fr. Stephen Ng’ang’a

  • Rev. Fr. Amos Wachira

Religious Sisters

  • Sr. Jane Wabui Muguku

  • Sr. Agnes Nyamiano

  • Sr. Pauline Wanjiku

  • Sr. Lucy Muthoni

  • Sr. Tecla Ndegwa

  • Sr. Ann Mwangi

  • Sr. Lucy Wanjiku

  • Sr. Wambui Kariuki

  • Sr. Salome Karara

  • Sr. Beth Mbogo

  • Sr. Margaret Wacuka Kiarie

  • Sr. Philomena Muhoro

  • Sr. Irene Nyambura Kariuki

  • Sr. Priscilla Mwenjeri

6. Outstations & Small Christian Communities (SCCs)

Outstations

  1. St. Cyprian Kagicha

  2. St. Dominic Mumbuini

  3. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Muirungi

  4. St. Augustine Kiang’ombe

  5. St. Francis Gathabari

  6. St. Cecilia Ciagumba

  7. St. Francisco Xavier Ngaru

Small Christian Communities (SCCs)

St. Cyprian Kagicha

  • St. Alfred

  • St. Eusebius

  • St. Crispin

  • St. Charles Lwanga

  • St. Joseph Allamano

  • St. Lawrence

  • St. Francis

  • St. Simon & Jude

  • St. Mary Magdalene

  • St. John the Baptist

St. Dominic Mumbuini

  • St. Stephen

  • St. Charles Lwanga

  • St. Cottolengo

  • St. Teresa

  • St. John Paul II

  • St. Paul

  • St. Augustine

  • St. Josephine Bakhita

  • St. Catherine

  • St. Rita

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Muirungi

  • St. Matthew

  • St. Francis

  • St. Peter

  • St. Charles Lwanga

  • St. Joseph Allamano

St. Augustine Kiang’ombe

  • Blessed Irene Nyaatha

  • St. Monica

St. Francis Gathabari

  • St. Peter

  • St. Joseph Allamano

  • Blessed Irene Nyaatha

St. Cecilia Ciagumba

  • St. Paul

  • St. Peter

St. Francisco Xavier Ngaru

  • Maria Consolata

  • St. Stephen

  • St. Josephine Bakhita

7. Institutions Under the Parish

Schools

  • Mumbuini Primary School

  • Muirungi Primary School

  • Chinga Senior Secondary School

  • Muirungi Senior Secondary School

  • Mumbuini Senior School