Our HISTORY
All Saints’ became part of the kiambu Chapaincy, which covered a large area from Thika and Makuyu to uplands within the diocese of Mombasa. This was reduced later to the churches of St Paul’s, Kiambu and All saints’ ,Limuru In 1961 the diocese became the diocese of Fort hall under Bishop Obidiah kariuki and these two churches became separate Parishes although with the same vicar. Later the diocese was again renamed to the diocese of Mt Kenya , and later still, became the diocese of Mount Kenya South.
Then in 1971 the job became too onerous for one man and another vicar was appointed to care for the limuru Parish which was made up of All Saints’ and a number of smaller churches in the district under the umbrella of All saints’.
In 1999 All saints’ became a parish in its own right and the smaller churches were no longer part of this parish.
By the 1930’s the original building was proving too small, so in 1936 a fete was held in the grounds of branehurst Hotel by the parishioners, most of whom were European settlers. They rode through the streets of Nairobi in Donkey carts dressed Cockney Pearly Kings and Queens to raise funds to built a lager church, which finally cost the princely sum of ₤ 1200.
Mr. A.B McDonell, one of the earliest European settlers in limuru, a farmer and architect was asked to submit designs for a new church. His plan, based on a English country church, was approved and he was asked tosupervise the building. The working drawings were done by Messrs. Cobb and Archer, architects of Nairobi, and an Indian mason called Premji was employed.
A large proportion of the timber came from trees planted as seedlings by Mr. Mc Donell on is farm and the stone was quarried locally. Building started in 1939 and was completed a year later.
“A B.” as he was affectionately known,carved most of the wood carving s in church. Beautful, tireless work can be seen in the reredos behind the alter, the front of the altar, the ends of the choirstalls, the pulpit, the kneeling stools for the padre and the panels in front of the gallery.
The stained glass windows cane fom a church in Devonshire which was being demolished. Measurements were sent over and the glass was cleverly made to fit the chancel windows, the gallery and small windows on the staircase. These were donated by Ethel Watney and the Bishop of the Exeter through the interests of Mr. Blanchford of Exeter. The paintings behind the altar were painted by Mrs. Lulu Dyer a well known artists, and wife of another Limuru farmer. Donations of furniture, the organ, the church bell, kneelers, and many other objects went towards creating this very beautiful little church.
The church was finally completed and consecrated by the bishop of Mombasa, Reginald Percy Crabb, on 7th April, 1940. the first service to be held in the new church was Holy communion on Easter day. A record collection was taken of shs 664 and 55 cents on this day.
One particular treasure is a brass Alms dish which was reputed to have come from a ruined John of Gaunt chapel in the grounds of Chapelwood Manor in Nutley Parish, in England. The owner, Lady Brassy sent it to a jumble sale where it was bought by “A.B.’s sister, Mrs. Florence Phillips and given to All Saints’ in 1939.
A report on it by an expert, Mr. Peter Fleming states that he thinks that “this is a 12th or 13th Century tray and that it is of Arabic origin. The center pattern is typical. Two small marks, a Maltese Cross and another were probably added to the plain tray. The inscription is a motto of something repeated four times. It appears to be old French but I am not certain – a theory. The Knights Hospitalers or Knights of Malta, or a crusader, when abroad, had it crafted by an Arab smith, taking what was a plain Arab tray and haing his house or the Knight’s motto added. The Maltese Cross cold point to a knight of Malta, probably circa 1200 – 1300”.