The Smallest Church in Africa | Uganda’s Spiritual Landmark

Smallest church in Africa : Located on Biku hill is the smallest church in Africa 18km away from Nebbi town. It measures a width of 2.5 meters, height of 8ft and accommodates only three people: the preacher and a congregation of two.

The church is not named but it is popularly known as the ‘Chapel’. It was founded in 1996 by the retired Arch-Bishop of the church of Uganda, His lordship Orombi Henry Luke in partnership with a Korean pastor called Song.

The church was discovered by two workers of the United Nations, Solomon and Miburu while driving up the Biku Hill in Nebbi town.

It is believed that those who come here are able to meet with God specially, have a vision for their future and strengthen their faith. The chapel has nine prayer points that the founders thought would create a comfortable atmosphere for the congregation to pray and meditate on God’s word. There is a custodian at the chapel who also acts as a guide and takes visitors through the different prayer points.

Prayer point one sits at the highest point of the hill and takes an average of 20 minutes to climb with or without the climbing gear. Once at the top, there is a big cross where pilgrims meditate on the Lord’s prayer.

On the opposite side of the first prayer point is prayer point two which is a Lilliputian building that was constructed in remembrance of Christ the savior. The building has twelve windows relating to the twelve disciples in the bibles. It is at this prayer point that pilgrims pray for the country and its neighbors in Rwanda, Kenya, Sudan and Tanzania for peace and tranquility.

One can also have a magnificent view of the Namrwodho Falls which is home to many bird species like the shoebill. The falls are also close to the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The journey to prayer point three is quite difficult due to the rocks and steep slopes as one descends from the hill. There are species such as baboons that one can view while heading to the third prayer point. Prayer point three has two entrances and was built in the shape in Africa.

It has ten windows which are reminiscent of the ten commandments and while here, pilgrims can meditate. Its purpose for being shaped in Africa so that people can pray for African countries while putting more emphasis on Islamic countries.

Prayer point four is shaped like the heart to symbolize the love by Jesus Christ. It also has a cross made up of thirty-three stones to symbolize the thirty-three years of Christ on earth.

Prayer point five is built in the shape of an arrow head to symbolize the fast rate of the youth. It has 66 windows that symbolize the books of the bible: 27 windows at the front to represent the new testament and 37 windows at the back door to represent the old testament. It has three doors which are in the form of a man standing to symbolize men that are drawn in God’s word.

Prayer point six is in the form of an altar which symbolizes the mission of Christ the savior. There are rough stones on the cross which symbolize the living stones in human beings.

This marks the first half of the tour and at this point, one can take a break in the beautiful gardens.

At the seventh prayer point, there is a building that is round. It symbolizes the universe and is found behind a rock. At the base of the rock is a natural curved open-ended cave. While at the cave, people are required to crawl though one end to the other to portray the suffering Jesus Christ went through while on earth. It is a terrifying experience for one crawling through this cave due to the darkness and the fear of the cave possibly collapsing.

At prayer point eight, there is a church called Bethel church which is a short building. It has twelve windows at the entrance that symbolize the twelve tribes of the disciples. The ceiling of the church has seven beams that represent the seven colors of the rainbow. This symbolizes God’s promise never to destroy the earth after Noah’s ark. As small as the church is, it’s construction took up to 79 bags of cement during its construction 500 years ago. The Eastern window of the church gives a view of the highest peak of the hill. According to the guide, this view symbolizes the need for Christians to always look up to God in everything they do.

There are two prayer points close by that are shaped in the form of a womb and this is where the main chapel is located and can hold up to 400 people.