{Did you know that Uganda has one of the smallest churches in the world? This church is found in Nebbi district in the north-west of Uganda. This church is located on Biku hill about 18km drive from the town of Nebbi.}
This church stands at a width of about 2.5m and a height of 8ft. The tiny worshipping place accommodates three people including the priest.
Its history dates back to 1996 when a Korean national, Pastor Song, in conjunction with the retired Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Henry Luke Orombi, established this amazing structure that has in turn pricked the interest of many tourists.
Around this church are nine prayer points which allow people to pray, praise and meditate on the word of God. The first prayer point is on top of the hill and is formed of a big cross.
The second point is a Lilliputian building crafted in commemoration of Jesus Christ with 12 windows in the western and eastern sides demonstrating the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ and its where pilgrims pray for the neighbouring countries of Congo, Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya for spiritual peace and revival.
This point offers impressive panoramic views of Namrwodho Falls which is a habitat to the rare Shoebill stork that is always on the must-see lists of travellers. The point three is crafted in the map of Africa with two entrances. It features 10 windows symbolising the Ten Commandments.
The point is dedicated to praying for all African states especially Islamic countries. The points 4, 5 and 6 are positioned with in a spacious calm garden with point four crafted like a heart demonstrating Christ’s love with a cross made of 33 stones signifying the 33 years Jesus Christ lived on earth.
Christ’s suffering
The point five is in the shape of an arrow head signifying the youth while prayer point five contains 66 windows that demonstrate 66 books of the Bible with 39 windows at the back signifying the books of the Old Testament and 27 windows signifying the New Testament.
The point has three doors crafted like a standing man demonstrating those who are well equipped with God’s word. The six prayer point is crafted in an alter shape which is a living testimony that the church is a living offering to Christ’s mission while the rough stones on the cross signify that Christians are living stones.
The point seven is a round structure like the shape of the globe and is located at the back of a towering rock with an open-ended cave at its base. One is obliged to crawl from one end to another to have a glimpse of Christ’s suffering; some tourists find this five-minute crawl through the cave’s darkness terrifying amid a fear that the cave might collapse and bury him/her underneath.
At the point eight there comes the world’s smallest church – the Bethel church with 12 windows at its entrance demonstrating the 12 stones on Aaron’s breast plate, i.e. the 12 tribes of ancient Israel.
The ceiling contains seven beams showing the seven rainbow colours which demonstrate God’s covenant never to destroy the world with floods again. The eastern window offers sights of the cross positioned on the highest peak at point two, a view that gives the Christians an opportunity to always look up to Jesus.
The midpoint is meant for spiritual healing for persons and church groups where people who visit the site encounter God in a special way, have vision for their future and become bold soldiers for the gospel.
What is amazing about this structure is that regardless of its size, it consumed 79 cement bags and was constructed with the intention of lasting at minimum 500 years before the weakening of the foundation.
Spiritual power
What do people say about this amazing church?
Bob Wanok, a bus tout at Arua Park in Kampala, says he has always heard people saying the church was constructed by a Chinese national with a hidden intention. When asked what the intent could be, Mr Wanok hesitates, saying he fears to annoy staunch believers.
“I am 23 years old. I first heard about that church when I was in Primary Five in 2005. I was enticed to go and visit the place. I went there with my friends in 2010. I was amazed by the style it was constructed but I did not see the miracles people say happen when you are there,” Mr Wanok said.
Alice Apio, 19, who I found sitting on her luggage at Arua Park, said she has visited the church more than five times. “I am a resident of Nebbi town. I heard about that church in 2000. In 2003, I went there with my sister to pray because she had constant stomach aches. We spent there two days and she got healed.”
Bernard Oryem says he was born in Nebbi district but he has never bothered to visit the church. However, he says he has always heard people saying there is healing power on that hill. “I cannot deny or confirm whether there is a spiritual power because I have never worshipped there,” he remarks.
Africa Review
Leave a Reply