Okrika North Archdeaconry — Diocese of Okrika

Bethel Anglican Church
Amadi-Ama, Okrika

Est. circa 1885 — Headquarters of Okrika North Archdeaconry since 1999

The Story of Bethel Church, Amadi-Ama

"The House of Prayer — The Gateway to Heaven"

Amadi-Ama was founded by Chief Iringe Inimgbatuboni and his brethren, who migrated from Koko Polo in Ogoloma of Okrika Island. Some of the men and women who settled at Amadi-Ama bore Christian influence from Saint Peter's Church, Okrika, and maintained regular contact with the Church — ferrying across in dug-out canoes every Wednesday for class meetings and on Sundays for services.

Chiefs Samuel Amadi, Josiah Omoni Koko and David Olunwa Inimgbatuboni were devoted Christian leaders who piloted the affairs of the early Christian community. A church was eventually started in Amadi-Ama around 1885, beginning as morning and evening prayers in a private room in Olunwa's compound, with Tom Amadi as regular conductor. As converts multiplied, the worshippers moved to a larger room in Amadi's compound, conducted by Thomas Olunwa, ably assisted by Madam Dinah Ogonna Olunwa.

A temporary structure was erected in 1895, which formed the nucleus of what later developed into Bethel Church. The Superintendent Pastor of Okrika District, Late Rev. J. Max. A. Cole, employed Mr. Isaiah K. T. Amadi as the first Teacher/Agent. The structure was declared open for worship by Late Venerable Archdeacon Dandeson Crowther, who named it Bethel Church.

In the 1920s, a permanent building was needed. Chief David Olunwa donated the land, and funds were raised from all taxable males and married women. The first permanent church was erected and dedicated by Late Bishop A. M. Gelsthorpe D.S.O., D.D. in 1938.

After the cessation of Civil War hostilities in 1970, the Amadi-Ama community, grateful to God for their liberation, decided to erect a new edifice. Under the renowned veteran Church teacher, Late Mr. Darrick K. Wakama, the foundation was dug and building commenced in early 1970. By April 19, 1975, the foundation stone of the new Bethel Church was laid by the then Diocesan Bishop, Rtd. Rt. Rev. Yibo A. Fubara JP, with the inscription:

"So, we built (Bethel), for the Lord has been mindful of us, and the people had a mind to work."

Thus Bethel Church continued to grow. In 1979 she joined St. James' Church Ogoloma to form the Ogoloma Church District. She also hosted the Ordination service on 20th July, 1995 and the 1998 Ordination service on 29th November, 1998. With effect from 1st January, 1999, Bethel became the Headquarters of Okrika North Archdeaconry.


Church Workers, 1895 – Present

NameRolePeriod
I. T. K. AmadiAgent1895 – 1900
Sylvarius JosiahAgent1901 – 1905
Nathan George (Late Chief)Agent1906 – 1910
Okeke (alias Uwa-Onithsa)Agent1911 – 1915
Stanley GeorgeAgent1916 – 1918
Adokibaka Kambi (later Chief)Agent1919 – 1920
Lancolot KalioAgent1921 – 1923
William AmadiAgent1924 – 1926
Eric E. ObaAgent1927 – 1929
Dickson WilliamAgent1930 – 1931
Lee Jas Aduari (later Chief)Agent1932 – 1933
Jonah OruibimaAgent1933 – 1934
Wilson OpuiyoAgent1935 – 1936
R. DappahAgent1936 – 1937
W. Dan O. DakaAgent1938 – 1939
F. M. OparanezieAgent1939 – Apr 1942
H. I. OrajimkpoAgentMay 1944 – Jan 1944
S. S. AbamAgentMay 1944 – Jan 1945
G. Joshua (later G. I. Iringe-Koko)AgentFeb – Dec 1945
F. A. B. KalioAgent1946 – 1947
John B. AdaAgent1948 – 1949
NlebigaAgent1950 – 1951
Lloyd Omu (later Chief)Agent1951 – 1952
B. T. S. Okujagu (later Catechist)Agent1952 – 1954
M. J. FubaraAgent1955 – 1958
M. B. Wodi (later Pastor)Agent1959 – 1960
D. K. WakamaAgent1961 – 1971
G. M. AlaliboAgent1972 – 1974
E. A. Iyaye (later Catechist)Agent1975 – 1977
B. T. S. OkujaguAgent1978 – Jan 1982
VacancyJan – Mar 1982
Rev. M. I. AbigoVicarApr 1982 – 1986
Rev. Canon M. D. S. AllassehVicar1986 – 1989
Rev. W. StewartVicar1989 – 1991
Rev. M. A. AltradeVicar1991 – 1992
Rev. Canon E. T. S. FiberesimaVicar1993 – 1996
Rev. Canon Q. A. T. Hart (JP)Vicar1997 – 1998
Ven. Arch. EtireVicar / Archdeacon ONA1999 – 2000
Ven. E. A. IyayeVicar2000 – 2003
Ven. E. T. S. Fiberesima, JPVicar2003 – 2007
Rev. Ernest I. B. IkulayedokiVicar2007 – 2008
Ven. F. T. J. Eretoru, JPVicar2008 – 2013
Ven. Sam Dan Ogan, JPVicar2013 – 2015
Ven. P. P. NyanaboibiVicar2016 – 2019
Ven. Enoch AtuboyediaVicar2019 – 2020
Ven. Humphrey InichinbiaVicar2020 – 2022
Ven. Dr. G. T. Iringe-Koko JPVicar2022 – Present

Staff & Officers

Treasurers
  • Chief Augustus Koko
  • Mr. David Koko
  • Sir Eben Amadi
  • Dr. Omeibi B. Altraide
  • Mr. Itelimasam Olunwa
  • Mr. Dumo Enoch
  • Mr. Princewill Amadi
  • Mr. Abiye Olungwe
Church Secretaries
  1. Mr. Ernest Iringe-Koko 1998 – 1999
  2. Hon. Ibibia Josiah 1999 – 2018
  3. Abiye Olungwe 2018 – 2022
  4. Sir Precious Iringe-Koko 2022 – 2024
  5. Joseph Tamunosiki Inimgba 2024 – Present
Admin Staff
  • Mr. Dappa
  • Mrs. Peace Olekaibe
  • Mrs. Blessing Kalaiyo
  • Mrs. Nina Ogan
  • Prudence Ibiye Kalio
  • Mr. Christopher T. Luckyn
  • Mr. Richmond Kalaiyo
  • Mrs. Lydia J. Inimgba
  • Mr. Joshua Ogan
Sextons
  • Nnamdi
  • Genesis Atelibo
  • Reuben Derefaka
  • Minima Enoch
  • Joshua Echebiri
Organists & Choirmasters
  • Organists: Raphael Inimgba, Adokiye Iyaye (2004)
  • Choirmasters: Lambert Nemi, Blessing Amadi, Boma Inimgba, Adokiye Iyaye
  • Church Teacher/Agent: T'nemi Lambert (1991–2001), Francis Benson, Cate. Eleanor T. Owo

Bethel Nursery & Primary School / Bethel Academy

2015 – 2025

School Board Chairmen
  1. Mr. Glory Ogbanga 1st Chairman
  2. Veronica Koko 2nd Chairman
  3. Mr. Grant Altraide 3rd Chairman
  4. Barr. M. M. West (Ksc) 4th Chairman
  5. Sir. Hon. Ibibia Josiah 5th Chairman
  6. Dr. (Mrs.) Alyce Altraide 6th Chairman
School Manager

Bethel Anglican Church, Amadi-Ama Headquarters, Okrika North Archdeaconry
Diocese of Okrika, Anglican Communion