Divine Mercy Kuwinda
A Brief History
The Divine Mercy Kuwinda Outstation is a welcoming Catholic community nestled in the heart of Kuwinda, Kenya. Our story began in 1976 when the Apostles of Jesus offered chaplaincy under Fr. John Hughes, the Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Catholic Church Karen (now Regina Caeli).
From Humble Beginnings to a Thriving Church
A tragic accident in 1980 involving two girls from Kuwinda attending St. Mary’s Primary School spurred Fr. Hughes to action. He began holding monthly masses under a tree or in a Christian’s house, determined to provide a spiritual sanctuary for the grieving community. Recognizing the need for a permanent place of worship, Fr. Hughes embarked on a mission to acquire land and funds for construction.
Through God’s grace and the unwavering support of Fr. Hughes and the St. John the Evangelist Parish-Karen community, the church construction was completed in 1981-1982. Fr. Simon Lobon, the then Parish Priest of St. John the Evangelist, played a pivotal role by ensuring offertory collections at Kuwinda were used to complete the church’s interior.
The Divine Mercy Devotion and Continued Growth
Fr. Lobon, with a compassionate heart for Kuwinda, invited the Salesians of Don Bosco to celebrate mass alongside a priest from Guadalupe Parish. It was during this time that Fr. Henry of the Salesians introduced the Divine Mercy Devotion, which significantly impacted the church’s development in 1999 under the leadership of Fr. Tom Mc Donald and the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) of St. John the Evangelist Parish-Karen.
The original church was named St. Kizito Catholic Church Kuwinda. However, upon completion of the new church, it was named Divine Mercy Kuwinda in recognition of the transformative role the devotion played in its construction. Following the church’s completion, a dedicated Christian named Bibian Nyawira generously donated land for the construction of the present-day St. Kizito Nursery School.
A Resilient Community
In 2017, a fire devastated the church and surrounding households. Undeterred, the community, with the blessings of Rev. Fr. Dominic, embarked on a reconstruction journey. Fr. Dominic, assisted by Br. Luke, Michael Oduor, and Simon Kamau, led the rebuilding efforts. Parishioners and well-wishers from St. John the Evangelist Parish-Karen joined hands, and together, they were able to complete the church in 2019.
Join Us!
The Divine Mercy Kuwinda Outstation is a vibrant and welcoming community. We are located off Kufuga Rd and celebrate mass every Sunday at 11:30 AM. Come experience the warmth of our fellowship and the beauty of our faith.