If the stones and the walls of the buildings at Brackenhurst Conference Centre could speak they would tell the tale of an unfolding story where a unique place joined hearts with people, past and present, to become what it is today. Brackenhurst has hosted a variety of groups since it became a conference centre in 1964; however, much history predates that time.

In 1914 the Hudson Cane family emigrated from England to what was then British East Africa. Traveling from Mombasa to Limuru by train, they climbed into an ox cart with all their possessions and headed down a mud trail towards a place now called Tigoni. When the Canes purchased 157 acres of land from a Mr. Charles Major for the price of 500 British pounds with the intent of growing coffee, they went against the advice of local people who said, “You are mad to buy that land. Limuru is nothing but mist and you will never be able to grow coffee.”

During those days the place was called “Three Tree Farm” because of three tall muna trees that stood on the ridge just behind the present staff houses. The muna trees served as a landmark for the wagons coming up from Nairobi. None of these trees remain today, but two similar ones stand west of the Theological College buildings. Later the farm’s name was changed to Brackenhurst – a name that speaks of both the past and the present. The early owners once lived in a place called “Brackenhurst” near Southall, Nottinghamshire County, England. When they arrived and saw the bracken fern growing on the numerous hills (hurst), no doubt they considered the name “Brackenhurst” appropriate for their new home. The cottage presently named “Farm House” was the Cane’s original home which they called Rose Cottage.