CHURCH SERVICES
Christ Church Cathedral: The Christ Church Cathedral is the mother parish of all six parishes of Zanzibar Diocese. It is located in Stone Town at a place called Mkunazini. This is one of the most beautiful places to worship, the area includes historical buildings with remarkable features. You are welcome to use this place for worship or just to admire the architecture.
This Cathedral:
This Cathedral was built on the site of the former slave market site to commemorate the end of slavery with the altar being erected on the former slave whipping spot. Reverend Arthur Nugent West of the UMCA bought this space on September 5th, 1873 and Bishop Edward Steere, laid a foundation stone for the church on Christmas Day, 1873, and the Cathedral construction was completed on the same day seven years later. In the early 20th century the church was almost defunct but in 1986 it was re-established as an active Parish .The Cathedral is recognised globally as one of the historical heritage sites with tourists coming to visit daily.
| Day | Time | Service |
| Sunday | 6:30am – 8:00am | Holy Communion (swahili) |
| 8:00am – 9:30am | Holy Communion (English) | |
| 9:00am – 11:45am | Holy Communion (Kiswahili) | |
| Saturday | 7:00am – 8:00am | Holy Communion |
| 4:30pm – 5:00pm | ||
| Monday – Friday | 6:30am | Morning Prayers |
St. John’s Parish – Mbweni:
This is the second largest parish after christ church cathedral. Located 7 km southwest of Stone town in Mbweni, it was built from 1871 to 1882 by (UMCA) to accommodate the freed slaves and facilitate their social integration. The Church was built out of stone and lime and is among the oldest structures in the area. The church compound was used as a cemetery for the early Christians. Among the famous Christian missionaries buried their include Caroline Davis Thackeray. The parish has constructed areas for renting out in order to raise some income. A Parish hall was constructed and can be rented out for functions.
| Day | Time | Service |
| Sunday | 8:00am – 10:00am | Holy Communion |
| 10:30am – 11:00am |
St. Barnaba’s Parish – Mahonda:
St. Barnaba Church(which is now under repair) is located towards the north of the Unguja Island, an area called Mahonda. This Parish is used as a missionary centre to reach worshipers from the north side of the island. The Parish has established St. barnabas nursery school, a grain milling machine, secretarial services centre and put in place a Parish administration block. The parish has also a small Synagogue at Kiwengwa region. The Kiwengwa out station is in dire need of safe water and child care services.
| Day | Time | Service |
| Sunday | 9:00am – 11:30am | Holy Communion |
St. Augustine’s Parish – Dole:
St. Augustine’s Church is located in Dole rural area about 14 km from Zanzibar town. It was built in 1987 following a local community initiative that was worshiping under a tree shade.
| Day | Time | Service |
| Sunday | 9:00am – 11:30am | Holy Communion |
St. John’s The Baptist Parish – Pemba:
St John The Baptist church is located in Pemba, the sister island of Zanzibar where the muslim community is dominant. The original church was established in 1897 at Kilimandege but was shifted to Kizimbani Wete in 1974.
| Day | Time | Service |
| Sunday | 9:00am – 11:30am | Holy Communion |
St. Andrew’s Parish – Machui:
St. Andrew Church is located in the rural community at the center of the Island. It was re-established in 1986. The Diocese established a mother’s union within this parish whose pig rearing project has enable women to earn extra income. The idea came about because Machui has a larger Christian community compared to other areas in the island.
| Day | Time | Service |
| Sunday | 9:00am – 11:30am | Holy Communion |