The Anglican Church
Ele Town

Historically, there was an Anglican Church at the Old Ele Town named St. James (ANG) Church, Ele. Mr. Samuel T. Imbu served as its last Church Agent before a crisis led the congregation to evacuate in 1978.

The idea of re-establishing the Anglican Church at Ele was first conceived by Mrs. Daisy Samuel in 2001. A fishmonger and petty trader who lived with her father (Mr. Samuel T. Imbu) during his days as a church agent, Mrs. Samuel grew tired of travelling by boat to church at Ikpo-Ama or Owun-Ogono, a journey that heavily depended on the unpredictable tide of the sea. She suggested to Rev. Asime I. Nehemiah (now Venerable), the then Vicar of Ogu Toru Parish, to bless a room in her building where the inhabitants of Ele Town could hold their church services.

The humble pioneer members included Mrs. Daisy Samuel (Head), Mrs. Mercy I. James, Mr. Rufus Iboms and his family, Sis. Clara Briggs, and Mr. Tubogbelabia Ogerebipi. The rest of the community joined upon hearing the good news.

However, about five months later, internal disputes over the demand for a local helper led them to stop holding services at Mrs. Daisy Samuel's house. Even then, when she could not make the trip to Ikpo-Ama or Owun-Ogono, she would faithfully pray in the room initially blessed by Rev. Nehemiah.

In October 2010, the idea surfaced again. Rev. Ibisabo H. Inichinbia, then Vicar and serving as Chaplain to Diocesan Mission and Evangelism, saw the critical need to formally plant an Anglican church at Ele. He presented the proposal to Ven. G. T. Orabere, Archdeacon of Okrika South, and the Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Revd. T. R. Abere JP.

This led to a powerful church planting crusade held from Thursday, March 3rd to Sunday, March 6th, 2011. A team primarily comprising postulants sent on industrial training (I.T.)—including Ord. Osinachi Ogbonna, Ord. Favour Eze, Ord. Hycienth Onwusor, Ord. Emmanuel Ishiwu, and Ord. Daniel Ifeanyi Daniel—alongside the Diocesan Prayer Squad, spearheaded an evangelical rally that culminated in a Thanksgiving Service.

The church started officially at the Ele Primary Health Centre. The inaugural Sunday Service was conducted by Rev. N. Brown (now Venerable) while the sermon was delivered by Rev. Thomas Owunari (now Canon Retired). Immediately after the planting, Mr. Achusin Isaac Fibika was brought in to serve as the local helper.