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Our History

Our Humble Beginnings

The story of the Holy Family Minor Basilica is woven into the very beginnings of Nairobi. When the city was founded in 1899 as a rail depot on the Kenya–Uganda Railway, a small community of Catholic railway workers longed for a place to pray. Their faith stirred the interest of the Holy Ghost Missionaries (Spiritan Fathers), who soon established a parish in the young town.

Our Humble Beginnings
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1899
Nairobi is founded as a railway depot on the Kenya–Uganda Railway. A small community of Catholic railway workers begins gathering for prayer.
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1904
Under Brother Josaphat, C.S.S.P., the first Holy Family Church is built near the railway station. It becomes Nairobi’s first stone building and a spiritual landmark.
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1907 – 1923
The parish celebrates key sacramental milestones:

  • First baptism (1907)

  • First marriage (1908)

  • First confirmations (1923)

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1925
The Loreto Sisters open the Catholic Parochial School, strengthening faith through education.
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1943
The Holy Family Cathedral Building Committee is formed to plan a larger church for the growing parish.
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29 June 1960
Archbishop John Joseph McCarthy lays the foundation stone of the present Basilica, designed by architect Dorothy Hughes in the shape of a cross.
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6 July 1963
The new Holy Family Church is completed, blessed, and opened, accommodating up to 4,000 worshippers.
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15 February 1982
Pope John Paul II elevates the church to the rank of Minor Basilica during his visit to Kenya.
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26 December 1982
The Basilica is formally dedicated and consecrated.
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1985 & 1995
Pope John Paul II returns to pray at the Basilica, moments cherished in parish history.
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1904 – 1991
Pastoral leadership is guided by the Holy Ghost (Spiritan) Fathers.
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1991 – 1996
The Jesuit Fathers serve the parish.
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From 1996
Diocesan clergy assume pastoral leadership.
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1977 – Present
Parish life flourishes with the formation of ministries and associations, including the Charismatic Renewal Group, CWA, CMA, and numerous Small Christian Communities.
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1975 – 2022
Major parish developments include:

  • Priests’ house (1975)

  • Cardinal Otunga Annex (2013–2015)

  • Marian Grotto, Adoration Chapel, and Crypt (2018–2019)

  • Modern rectory, blessed in 2022

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2018 – 2020
The Crypt becomes the final resting place of Archbishop John Njenga and Archbishop Emeritus Ndingi Mwana a’Nzeki.
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Today
The Holy Family Minor Basilica stands as a living home of faith, prayer, and community, growing alongside the city of Nairobi for over a century.

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