The Church Missionary Society (CMS), a British Anglican mission society founded in 1799, played a crucial role in the introduction of Christian missionary activity in Mombasa and its spread to the broader Kenyan coast. The CMS still have presence in Mombasa located between the road that leads to the Port and the other that leads further to Shimanzi. Its most significant work in the region is connected to the abolition of slavery, introduction of formal education, bible translation into local languages, and the establishment Freretown for freed slaves.
The CMS’s work in Mombasa began in 1844 with the arrival of Dr. Johann Ludwig Krapf, a German Lutheran missionary employed by the society. Mombasa was then a predominantly Muslim town with no Christian presence. Krapf’s mission faced initial resistance, as he struggled to make converts on Mombasa Island. Recognizing this challenge, he shifted his focus inland to areas where Islam had less influence, such as Rabai, where he established a mission station. Krapf was later joined by Johann Rebmann in 1846, and together they laid the foundation for Christian missionary work on the Kenyan coast and the subsequent standardization of Kiswahili.
Translation and Education Efforts
One of Krapf’s contributions was his effort to translate Christian texts into local languages. In 1847, he translated parts of the Bible into Kiswahili, including Genesis chapters 1–3. Over time, he expanded his work to include translations into other local languages such as Giriama (Rabai) and Kamba. These translations were instrumental in spreading Christianity and literacy among local populations while also making the work of the colonial government easier.
The CMS also prioritized education as a means of evangelization. Schools were established at mission stations like Rabai to teach reading, writing, and Christian doctrine.
Freed Slave Settlements: Freretown
In 1875, CMS established Freretown near Mombasa as a settlement for freed slaves rescued by British naval patrols from Arab dhows involved in the Indian Ocean slave trade. Named after Sir Bartle Frere, a British official who played a key role in suppressing slavery on the East African coast, Freretown became a sanctuary for diverse Africans liberated Africans.
Freretown was not only a refuge but also a hub for Christian missionary activity. The CMS built Emmanuel Church to serve the spiritual needs of the freed slaves and established vocational training programs to equip them with practical skills such as carpentry and masonry. The settlement also became an important site for early African converts to Christianity, with some going on to become ordained ministers.
Expansion During Colonial Rule
The CMS’s influence expanded during the British colonial period when its activities aligned with imperial objectives of spreading Western education and Christianity. In 1884, the Diocese of Eastern Equatorial Africa was formed under Bishop James Hannington, covering Kenya, Uganda, and Tanganyika. Although Hannington was martyred on his way to Uganda in 1885, his work symbolized the growing reach of Anglican missions in East Africa.
By 1888, CMS missionaries had begun formal theological training at Freretown for African teacher-evangelists. This initiative laid the groundwork for future African leadership within the Anglican Church. The establishment of St. Paul’s Divinity School at Freretown in 1903 strengthened this endeavor.
Challenges and Legacy
Despite its successes, CMS faced challenges in Mombasa. The predominantly Muslim population on the coast remained resistant to conversion efforts, limiting the society’s impact within urban areas. Additionally, tensions arose between freed slaves settled at Freretown and local Swahili communities due to cultural differences, a tradition that spilled over even after Kenyan gained independence with most people form Freretown having to live as stateless.