Back in the 1970’s, the only PCEA church that existed in the coast was PCEA St Margaret’s church. It was still under Nairobi presbytery. The church had a very strong youth choir such that through the then provincial commissioner Mr. Eliud Mahihu, who attended St Margaret’s church and who later became an elder, the choir would get invitations to entertain the 1st president Mzee Jomo Kenyatta at the state house. It is during one of these invitations that Mzee Jomo Kenyatta got so pleased with their performance and asked the choir what they would want as a reward for their good presentation, and they opted for a piece of land to build a church.
This is how the Makupa plot was acquired. It came as a reward and appreciation to the choir for their dedication to sing for the Lord in all circumstances. The plot was dedicated by the then moderator of Nairobi presbytery Rt. Rev. Dr George Wanjau since the coast was still under that presbytery.
In 1977, a committee was appointed by the St Margaret's church management to oversee the Makupa plot project. The committee had;
Elder Eliud Mahihu - Patron
Parish minister - Chair man
Mr. G Mugo - Secretary
Mr. G.N Njuguna - Treasurer
The Mombasa district commissioner as the trustee
The first fundraiser was held on 4th December 1977 and was presided over by the then vice president Hon. Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi. He was assisted by the late Hon. Shariff Nassir and Hon. Said Hemed. They managed to raise 342,000/= Kenya shillings which was used to construct a hall, a caretaker’s house and two nursery school classrooms and the offices.
On 10th May 1981, PCEA MAKUPA opened its door under REV. GEORGE COOPER and a student minister Mr. Anderson Kathuni. The hall served as the church. Later on in 1985, the caretaker's house was renovated and used as a manse.
On 19th July 1981, the church was dedicated by Rt. Rev Dr George Wanjau and Rev Anderson was ordained and became the first Minister.
3 elders were assigned to the church:
Elder James G Njaramba
Elder Roderick N Wamarua
Elder Joseph K Heho
They were assisted by a caretaker committee formed from the members of the congregation with the officials as:
Elder J.G Njaramba - the chairman
Mr. Samuel Karumba Muruanjogo - The secretary
Mr. Samuel Kariuki Wanderi - The treasurer
On 5th May 1983, three more elders were ordained as the Makupa congregation continued to grow. These were:
Elder Dishon M Kahome
Elder Samuel K Wanderi
Elder Samuel Mukuna.
On 27th January 1985, Makupa became a deacon court. On August the same year, it became a parish with Rev. G.P Ngumi as the moderator, Dr D.M Kahome as the session clerk, and S.K Wanderi as the treasurer.
Later more elders were ordained:
Elder Andrew Kinyua Kahethu
Joshua Gikuhi Njama
Hezron Wambutu
Rev G.P Ngumi served in Makupa from January 1985 to Dec 1987. After He Was transferred, Makupa received Rev Ndanyu Kanyari in January 1988. He served Makupa until we received Rev Samuel Theuri. After Rev Theuri, we received Rev Festus Gitonga who was later succeeded by Rev Geoffrey Gathairu.
On 2nd January 1998, 2 more elders were ordained to serve in the Parish, This elders are Rtd Elder Rosemary Waweru and Elder John Ndung’u Kang’ethe.
We then received Rev. Eric Muchina. In the year 2000 Elder Peter Muthigani Muraya was ordained. On 12th September 2004, Makupa parish was inaugurated in a ceremony which was presided over by Dr Jesse Kamau. The parish was led by Rev Eric Muchina - Moderator, Elder John Kang’ethe - Session clerk, Elder Samuel Thairu - Treasurer, and Elder George Kamau - Finance Chair.
The same year the following elders were ordained:
Elder Lucy Ndirangu.
Elder Solomon Muriithi
Elder Paul Mumba
Elder Samuel Gichuki Thairu
Rev Muchina who was later succeeded by Rev Ntore. Who served in Makupa from 25th Sept 2005 to 29th Dec 2005. He was succeeded by Rev Julius Mbugua who served from 29th Dec 2005 to 29th Dec 2008. During this time, more elders were ordained:
Elder Amos Kimani Muigo
Elder Dedan Mugo Kamau
Elder Edwin Ndichu
Elder Ruth Mugure Mwangi
During this time, the church saw a need for opening a church in Jomvu due to the increase of members living on that side. To the Glory of God, on 7th September 2007, the church in Jomvu was started. Elder John Kang’ethe became the chairman of the congregation since they were a product of his district. Rev Julius Mbugua was succeeded by Rev James Kabue who served for a period of 4 months from January 2009 to May 2009.
He was later succeeded by Rev Michael Kimani who served from 14th May 2009 to 30th Dec 2013, during this time, Makupa parish extended and opened a church in Mikindani and Miritini on 5th September 2010 and 9th Sept 2012 respectively. More elders were also ordained:
Elder Francis Njogu Muiruri
Elder Henry Muchiri Nyamu
Elder Margaret Waweru
Elder Wilson Kamau Gichina
Elder Nancy Githogori
Elder Naome Kithome.
After being in Makupa for almost 5 years Rev Michael was transferred to another parish and Makupa received Rev David Gitundu on 1st January 2014. He served in Makupa up to 23rd January 2017 when he went to Korea for further studies.
In September 2014 elder Joseph Kamau Gichuhi having been ordained on 1st October 2006 joined Makupa parish from the South coast
During this time, more elders were ordained:
Elder Joseph Ngigi Ndungu
Elder Julius Githinji Gicheha
Patrick Kiarie Mukuhi
Rev Munyoroku who was the Moderator Pwani Presbytery and serving in St Margaret's parish shepherded the parish until 1st January 2018 when Rev Ephraim Mbugua came to Makupa parish. Rev Ephraim served in the parish until 10th Sept 2021. During this time, more elders were ordained:
Elder Timothy Mungai Muchiri
Elder Dominic Lugwiri Anaya
Elder Erick Kimathi Kathenya
Elder Salome Wangari Wangombe
Elder Eunice Njeri Gitonga
Elder Erick Mwangi Nkune
Elder Daniel Kimani Mwangi
Elder Felista Wangari Ngethe
Makupa parish also opened a church in Mazeras on 25th Aug 2019 and Elder Samuel Thairu became the 1st Chairman. Rev Ephraim served in Makupa until Sept 2021 when He Was transferred to another parish. On 25th Sept 2021, Makupa received Rev Hiram Githaiga who is serving in the Parish to date. During this time, more elders were ordained:
Elder Teresa Muthoni Wamwea
Elder Godfrey Njiiru
Elder Joel Mwangi Chege
Elder David Wanjohi.
The parish continues to experience growth in all areas. On 15th December 2023 Makupa parish was subdivided into two parishes, namely Jomvu and Makupa. The same was presided over by The Rt Rev Thegu Mutahi, moderator of the 23rd General Assembly. Below are the officials of the Kirk Session:
Rev Hiram Ngundo Githaiga - Moderator
Elders
Joseph Kamau Gichuhi - Kirk Session Clerk
Eunice Njeri Gitonga - Finance chairperson
Peter Wambugu Mwangi - Treasurer
Peter Muthigani Muraya - Pairing Elder