In the year 1998, the Vicar goes by the name Captain Rev Charles Muchene Muturi who is now the current Bishop(the 6th) was serving at A.C.K St Phillips on his pastoral duties around the area of Ribarori and he noted the need to plant a church around the Sub-station area.
He mobilized the St Phillips KAMA members to procure a plot on the said venue which they did with a lot of diligence. Mr Perminus Mwae Uthai sold the plot (100 x 100) at around Ksh 300,000/=
The Parish Council of St Phillips church sold the construction of the first semi permanent church here at Ribarori and among the pioneers were Andrew Ndiguithia Kiriani, Robert Kamau Njoroge and Miss Jemimah Githere(Treasurer) among others being led by their Vicar Rev’d Captain Muchene.
With the generosity of Christians, the church took the shortest time to complete and on 28/12/1998. The Vicar mobilized all the Christians with great jubilation when the church was blessed by Rt Rev Emeritus Peter Njenga on a chilly Monday morning. Thus, St Phillips acquired the second daughter church after St Stephen Christians continued to worship here in the first Sunday service was conducted on. On 3rd January the new Vicar was Rev Antony Njoroge Ngethe now Area dean.
In the year 2,000 the church was given a new priest by the name Rev’d Humphrey Mwangi Waweru who was serving at St Phillips and the local church St James.
The congregation growth was inevitable thus demanding for greater space and a bigger sanctuary and the local church managed to secure a second plot in the same place opposite which paved way for construction of the main sanctuary (permanent).
In the same year 2000, the Vicar got an opportunity to further his education at South Africa thus the local church was left at the care of the following curates:
- Rev’d Francis Samuel Kurende (Deacon)
- Rev’d Obadiah Waweru Thome (Late)
Rev’d Peter Muthemba Kuria
On 3rd June 2003, the church was elevated to full pledge Parish and on 10th Nov 2001, the first lay reader John Koigi was commissioned at Kiambu St James Cathedral.
The first Vicar of St James Ribarori was Rev. Francis Sanae Kurende who was by this time ordained to priest hood and retained in the very Parish. The foundation stone of the sanctuary was laid during his tenure by the then Bishop Rt Rev. Peter Njenga he later got transferred in the year 2004 then came Rev. P. Kaba.
- Rev. Perminus Kamau served as vicar from 2005 to 2008. During his tenure, the congregation moved into the new church building, and cell groups were renamed:
Original names: Karura, Ruiru, Githurukini, Mumbi, Kamugu‑ini/Ngabubu
New names: Galilee, Ephesus, Berea
- On 1st January 2009, Rev. Samuel Mbugua Karanja became vicar.
- Contributions
Mrs. Beatrice Wangari Kinyanjui led efforts to maintain cleanliness of the church and grounds.
Mr. Peter N.G. Mbugua was commissioned as the second layreader in 2006.
Mr. Simon Kinyanjui “Genga” became the first praise and worship evangelist in 2003, bringing musical talent and leadership to services.
Mr. Charles Munga Kamau served as security officer, safeguarding church property.