​HISTORY OF THE BISHOP HOUSE / TEMPORARY ENGLISH CHURCH

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Islam's arrival on the Swahili Coast predates Vasco da Gama’s visit in 1498. Mombasa had long been a Muslim town, and under Portuguese-Christian occupation, churches were established but did not endure. The resurgence of Christianity in the region began in 1844 with the arrival of Ludwig Krapf, a German Lutheran missionary sent by the Church Missionary Society (CMS) in London.

Initially struggling to make conversions on the island, Krapf moved inland to reach communities less influenced by Islam. His vision included a future with African bishops and clergy leading the Protestant Church. The British abolitionist movement later established a freed slave settlement in 1875 on the mainland north of Mombasa, where Emmanuel Church in Frere Town became the first Christian church in central Swahili land.

With the increasing number of European Christians in Mombasa, a solution was needed for worship without disrupting the Muslim majority. Between 1838 and 1870, a temporary English church was constructed to accommodate this growing community. This structure later became the Bishop’s Court before being sold to CMS and converted into a private residence following the completion of the Anglican Cathedral in 1898.

Historical documents trace the CMS property boundaries, placing the Bishop House within this area. The house was home to early bishops, including Peel, who, by 1900, advocated for relocating the bishop’s residence to Mombasa due to the city’s growing importance. Eventually, the Diocese maintained two episcopal residences: Bishop’s Court in Mombasa and Bishop’s Bourne in Nairobi.

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NOTABLE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND DESIGN ELEMENTS SALVAGED

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ROOF TILES

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The original roof tiles were Mangalore roofing tiles manufactured by Basel Mission Tile Works in 1865.

Basel Mission Tile Works, founded in 1860 by German missionary Georg Plebst, pioneered tile manufacturing in India. The durability of these tiles made them the preferred choice for British colonial government buildings, and they were widely exported to East Africa. Over time, additional tiles from other Mangalore manufacturers and local sources in Mombasa were added to the Bishop House.

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Salvaged tiles Included:

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• The Commonwealth Trust Ltd (est. 1860)

• P. Nanhushetty Tile Works (est. 1914)

• Oriental Tile Works

• King George Tiles (est. 1905)

• B. Thimmappa Raithi Tile Works (est. 1895)

• Candiant & Elena Milano Tile Works

• Coast Brick & Tile Works, Mombasa

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WOOD

The Bishop House predominantly featured teak wood for pillars, doors, windows, staircases, roofing, and flooring, complemented by minimal use of mature cedar poles.

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Teak, one of the most valuable timbers, was highly sought after for its durability, stability, and resistance to tropical climates. Indian teak was shipped from India and Nepal to Mombasa, where it was used in construction, furniture, and shipbuilding. The Bishop House’s teakwood elements were still in exceptional condition at the time of salvage.

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CORAL STONE, LIME PLASTER, MUD, AND METAL STRIPS

The ground floor featured massive coral stone boulders supported by thick columns and lime/cement plaster. The upper walls were a combination of stone, mud, and metal strips, finished with lime plaster. While these walls did not survive transport, a significant number of coral stones were successfully relocated to Nairobi.

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UNIQUE ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

The Bishop House showcased a fusion of Islamic and Christian architectural influences.

• Saracenic Design: The structure incorporated Arabic arch shapes commonly found in Islamic architecture, visible in its exterior fountain, entryways, and interior walls.

• Wooden Staircases and Balconies: The house had two uniquely crafted staircases—one external and one internal—connecting to a wooden balcony supported by carved wooden pillars.

• Other Unique Features:

  • A revolving window at the stairwell wall.

  • Inverted T-shaped wooden roof supports with aged nails as historical evidence.​​