The 100th-anniversary celebration of the Anglican Church of Rwanda took place in Gahini, Kayonza District, on Sunday, August 24, 2025, marking a century of spiritual and societal contributions.
Leaders acknowledged the Anglican Church's pivotal role in improving citizens' lives through initiatives in education, healthcare, and good governance. They emphasized its contribution to Rwanda’s development, stating, “The Anglican Church has played a vital role in fostering unity, healing broken hearts, and rebuilding trust following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. All of this has helped build a unified and progressive Rwandan society.”
Rwanda’s government leaders also praised religious groups as key partners in societal transformation. One of the speakers added, “It is crucial for religious groups to work with the government to combat the misuse of religious freedoms, which sometimes lead vulnerable and impoverished individuals into harmful traps, negatively impacting their well-being and the unity of the nation.”
Topics of the celebration included addressing family conflicts, improving child nutrition, reducing school dropout rates, and combating drug abuse among youth. A guest speaker stated, “The government calls on churches and faith-based organizations to partner with us in finding solutions to these challenges.”
Leading the event was Archbishop Dr. Laurent Mbanda, with thousands of attendees, including government officials and international guests. Dr. Mbanda commended the Anglican Church’s core mission of spreading the Gospel, promoting education, and providing healthcare services. He remarked, “We appreciate the Anglican Church for building upon three pillars: spreading the Gospel, education through schools, and healthcare by establishing clinics and hospitals. These pillars have been instrumental in sharing God’s Word in this country. We continue to build on these achievements, with a focus on good governance, savings, and fostering transparency and integrity.”
From its beginnings in Gahini in 1925, the Anglican Church of Rwanda has grown into 13 dioceses nationwide, managing over 1,300 institutions. These include 853 nursery schools, 258 primary schools, 137 secondary institutions, 21 technical schools, three universities, three hospitals, and the Gahini Medical Center, which has treated over 872,000 patients.
The Gahini Diocese, hosting the celebration, is renowned as the “Cathedral of Evangelism” for the Great Lakes region. Besides its cornerstone role in spiritual revival, Gahini is a cherished destination for religious pilgrims and tourists.
Known for its miracles, Gahini is celebrated as the birthplace of Rwanda’s revival movement—a transformative legacy spanning over a century. It all began in 1922 with missionaries from Uganda who founded the Church Missionary Society in Rwanda. By 1925, evangelistic activities had taken root on Gahini Hill, spreading the revival across East Africa, impacting Uganda, Kenya, Congo, Burundi, and Tanzania.
Gahini is now synonymous with the spiritual revival of 1936, where believers witnessed the powerful work of the Holy Spirit, catalyzing transformational movements among communities.
The site holds iconic religious landmarks, such as the “Wall of Miracles,” the “House of Unity,” and a pledge corner symbolizing unwavering commitment to Christ. Inspired by these landmarks, the EAR Gahini Diocese designated the area as a religious tourism site.
The “Wall of Miracles” gained attention in 2004 when part of the diocesan building’s wall miraculously appeared in alignment with the church's internal conflicts. This phenomenon amazed many and continues to draw visitors.
The Anglican Church of Rwanda continues to be celebrated for its key role in enhancing citizens' welfare and advancing national development.
Photograph of the renowned Wall of Miracles at the Gahini Diocese.
Statues honoring the pioneering missionaries at Gahini.
A preserved building reflecting the initial missionary activities at Gahini.