Colonial era Church of Goodwill brings nostalgic memories

The imposing architecture of the Church of Goodwill captures Kenya’s design of the1940s.

It brings nostalgic memories of the colonial era days in Kenya. And though many were not born then, it gives them a peek back into history.

The building has elicited interest among locals as the number of foreign tourists flying in to visit it continues to grow every year.

The church was constructed as a gift to God by a colonial settler Lady Eleanor Balfour, wife of the Lord Galbraith Cole of the 5th Early Enniskillen.

She built it in honour of her late husband and also as thanksgiving to God for bringing her two sons back from the battlefield during the Second World War.

It is an imposing architectural masterpiece.

WITHSTOOD TEST OF TIME

The protruding bell tower and the wooden roofing tiles have withstood the vagaries of weather over the years to stand the test of time, making it a historic monument worth visiting.

The magnificent colonial structure makes one feel as old as the stone walled structure that boasts of a couple of graves that remain well-kept a century later.

The graves outside the church, we are told, are those of the founder members of the church who had stated their wishes to be buried next to the building.

The graves bear the names and their dates of death, some in English and others in French.

Its wooden teak doors are arch-shaped and have heavy latches on them while for the windows, narrow arch shaped long spaces have been nicely constructed into the walls letting rays of light that illuminate the church’s interior.

OPENED IN 1947

The church was officially opened in 1947.

The opening also coincided with the twentieth anniversary of her late husband Lord Galbraith Cole's death.

To preserve it, she ensured that all movables inside the church were also imported and she footed the bill and the same have remained in use to date.

Unlike modern churches, the Church of Goodwill had a functional bell that has remained standing on its bell tower though it is hardly used for the purpose it was intended for, that is, to usher in worshippers.

While other structures have long been disposed off after the 38,000 hectare Kikopey farm owned by Lady Balfour was subdivided, the church is the only structure that retained its original purpose.

It is located near the old Nakuru–Nairobi road near Kariandusi pre-historic site at Kikopey in Elementaita, Nakuru County.

HISTORICAL SITE

Mr Peter Cheporion, a guide at the Kariandusi Museum said that the church building is preserved and marketed as a historical heritage site that attracts tourists from around the globe.

“While the government took over the management of many pre-historic sites, the community was tasked with taking care of the church building on condition that the same remains as it was originally,” he added.

The church’s chairman Mr Elijah Njoroge who has served in the position for the last 16 years said that the Anglican Church took over the church’s administration from the 1950s.

“For many years, it was the only church around here where people worshipped.

RAIDED BY VANDALS

At one time we were forced to alter its windows to the vestry to enhance security after some vandals raided the church and destroyed its seats and some musical instruments,” he recalls.

The building was shared by both the Roman Catholics and the Anglicans in shifts before the Roman Catholics acquired their own, leaving it to the Anglicans who use it to date.

“It was the only church in the entire region and it was shared by both catholic and the Anglican members where they used the church in turns for their Sunday services,” said Mr Njoroge.

The church has over a hundred members and although most of its original furniture is still intact, the increase in the number of worshippers over time has made it necessary for additional furniture to be bought.

Mr Njoroge added that some of the white settlers who used the church usually fly in to hold a memorial service once a year.

During such visits they also make contributions towards the running of the church.

“Some of the white settlers who are still alive usually fly in to the country for a memorial service in the church. They are normally joined but others who are resident in Kenya,” he added.

Mr Njorge says that the church has also been a tourist attraction centre and for this reason they resolved to retain it in its original form.