St Franciscans could not hold back their joy as they embraced the new structure of their chapel at Makerere University, which has been undergoing expansion works for some time.
Last Saunday, July 9, hundreds gathered at St Francis chapel for the rededication of the church and to sing Ebenezer – thus far the Lord has brought us.
The service was presided over by the archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stanley Ntagali, and attended by dignitaries including clergy, university professors, students and alumni.
The chaplain, Rev Can Amos Turyahabwe, expressed gratitude to God, the university council, KCCA, the clergy, contractors, and the congregation that contributed towards the expansion works. Beaming with excitement, he said: “It is very important to build on what other people started.” He asked the congregation to keep up the spirit.
The St Francis’ choir, the children’s choir and a Lugbara choir spiced up the service with their performances. Situated between the college of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Main Building, a majestic version of the old chapel now stands glowing over the university fraternity.
The chapel was first constructed in 1942 to cater for the spiritual needs of the Anglican community of the university. By 1960s, it was already too small. In 1963, the chapel was expanded. In 1965, due to increased numbers of students, another plan to expand the chapel was proposed but mobilization of funds only started in 2012.
Following a much-hyped ground-breaking ceremony, construction began on May 2, 2016 with Excel Company Limited as the contractors. After completion, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) inspected the premises and handed over the permit to St Francis on July 6, 2017.
The new complex now seats 1,350 congregants per service, with a gallery that has southern and northern wings. The main hall that used to have just two columns of pews, now has four and is very spacious and beautiful.
The church’s leadership proudly announced that the old pews were replaced with pure mahogany ones against white walls and a sky-blue ceiling. At the function also attended by assistant bishop for Kampala, Hannington Mutebi, Ntagali condemned individualism and corruption in his sermon.
“The problem of this country is not corruption, but greed. People are so self-centered that they want to gain a lot within a short time from wrong means,” said Ntagali.
He also urged Christians to protect the environment.
“We are enemies of the God-given environment,” he said, encouraging humility and integration in families.
In a speech read by Professor Edward Kirumira, Professor Apolo Nsibambi urged the Christians to take care of the facility.
“It’s the role of the chapel to shape the future of young people that come to Makerere University. The cancer of corruption and the spirit of selfishness cannot be managed by the number of degrees one has acquired, but by realizing that the fear of God is the beginning of all wisdom (Proverbs 9:10),” he said. “You shall provide a good example in all that you do, so that other churches can learn from you.”
St Francis chapel deals with multiple ethnicities and groups of people, managed under various ministries including marrieds’ fellowship, Fathers Union, Mothers Union, Cell ministry and the youth ministry, among others.
It is loved by the university Anglican community for its vibrant, often charismatic services and over the years the chapel has become synonymous with the evening fellowships outside the church where students are found praying fervently, many of them in tongues.
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