The idea of starting St John the Evangelist parish came from the late His Eminence Maurice Cardinal Otunga, then archbishop of Nairobi, in 1989 when he asked the Congregation of the Holy Ghost (Spiritans) to start the parish and administer it.
The parish didn’t start to function immediately- in the meantime Christians living around attended Mass on Sundays at various chapels in Religious communities, mainly at Spiritan House, Francican Capuchins on Bogani road, the Shrine of the Apostles of Jesus on Langata road and at the Passionists on Ushirika road.
Those who worshiped at the Spiritan House chapel and knew of the plans of a new parish took the initiative to get the Christians together to start the parish. In 1995 an interim Parish pastoral council was formed with the blessing of the Cardinal (Otunga) who asked the Father-in-charge of Karen parish to be attending the initial meetings of the committee so as to give direction and guidance.
The Spiritans at the seminary graciously allowed the use of their library as the meeting venue on Sundays.
The committee realized the need to start fundraising for the building of the parish. They held mini Harambee fundraising meetings at the end of every month in the four centres mentioned above.
At the end of every three months, the parishioners would have a combined fundraiser in each of the four centers in rotational basis where external guests were also invited.
The first major fundraiser was held at Spiritan House in April, 1996. The Spiritans were represented by an official from their Provincial headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The long term plan was envisaged as follows:
1. Acquire a plot on which to develop the parish,
2. Take care of the spiritual and sacramental needs of the parishioners,
3. Build a church,
4. Build a Fathers’ house,
5. Build a community centre.
In June 1996, Fr Simon Lobon was appointed as the first Father- in- charge of the parish. Meanwhile the monthly fundraising continued as well as the search for a plot where to build the church but land was so expensive in the area that it became clear that it will take a long time to raise enough money to purchase land and build the facilities as planned.
The committee then approached the Spiritans and requested them to allocate from their land 2.5 acres for that purpose. After much negotiation, this was granted in 1997. We are ever grateful to the Spiritans for their generosity.
In March 1998, His Grace Archbishop NdingiMwana a’ Nzeki came to bless the site and encouraged the parishioners to enthusiastically carry on with their plans.
An architect and the relevant professionals were appointed the same year and commissioned to make church drawings and submit to Nairobi City Council for approval which was obtained in March 1999.
The following month a contractor was selected and building works commenced.
The practice of holding fundraisers has continued throughout the entire period since the beginning and all the major projects completed to date have been funded through this method.
The commitment, effort, and sacrifice the parishioners have made in this and other forms of fundraising is highly commendable and has produced excellent results as all can testify.