On December 13, 2018, Angama Mara opened a 100-seat chapel in memory of co-founder Steve Fitzgerald, on what would have been his 65th birthday. The site on which Angama Mara sits was always a dream location for the renowned hotelier. When he and his wife Nicky opened Angama Mara in 2015, high above Kenya's Rift Valley overlooking the Maasai Mara, it was a dream come to fruition.
Steve passed away, unexpectedly, in October 2017 due to complications from a heart transplant. When donations came pouring in from around the world, Nicky Fitzgerald and her daughter Kate Fitzgerald Boyd, who is co-operator of the lodge, decided to use the funds to build a non-denominational chapel at Angama Mara -- in part to thank the staff for their years of dedication, hard work and prayers on behalf of Steve, and also to provide a peaceful spot for guests and staff alike to meditate, pray and celebrate.
The chapel design was lovingly gifted by Angama Mara's architects, Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens, and has beautiful hand-carved pews and stained-glass windows. It sits at the very heart of the property overlooking the Garden of Remembrance, where a fig tree grows above a plaque dedicated to Steve.
Although the chapel was built primarily for staff, guests can join them for their twice-weekly services there, use it for their own celebrations, weddings and blessings, or just visit for some quiet reflection.
Kate describes the team at Angama Mara as the second chamber to Steve's heart. "There is no doubt in my, or anyone else's, mind that Angama Mara simply would not exist without my father having a crazy dream and the courage to see it through almost four years ago. Many would say that he was the heart of Angama Mara. Those who think this would not be wrong, but as there are two chambers to every heart, I need to talk about the second chamber of the heart of Angama Mara. The team that works from the Mara, to Nairobi and down to Johannesburg. Every day they ensure that guest delight is everyone's business and that kindness, warmth and love are brought to each one of our guest's stays." To read more about Kate's reflections on the chapel, please visit Angama Mara's blog.
For more information about Angama Mara, visit www.angama.com.
