Christianity was introduced to the Okrika Kingdom by Chief Atorudibo in 1878. Five years later, in 1883, Elder Joseph Tomonitemeke planted the Christian religion in Bolo, one of the ancestral towns of Okrika. When a befitting edifice was erected, it was christened St. Gabriel's (Anglican) Church, Bolo. Over the years, St. Gabriel's grew into a vivid testimony within the Diocese of Niger Delta and the Diocese of Okrika.
In September 2004, recognizing the rapid expansion of the new town at the East-West end of Bolo Island — an area already housing about eight churches of other denominations — the District Church Council (DCC) of St. Gabriel's resolved to establish an Anglican presence there.
By 2005, through sustained growth and effort, the new church, initially known as St. Gabriel's Annex, was planted. Driven by the far-sighted vision of the Deanery Church Council under Ven. S. K. D. Otobo JP, the church mobilized for two days of prayer and fasting in the vestibule of the Bolo District Office, where they first congregated to worship.
Although the initial group of worshippers later fizzled out after fulfilling their evangelical purpose, sufficient interest remained among a dedicated few who formed the nucleus of the present-day church. Successive clergymen, including Ven. Sam Dan Ogan JP, Rev. Can. Ibibia B. E. Ikuloayedoki, Rev. Can. Israel A. Walter, Rev. Ibienebobo Jamabo, Rev. T'Nemi Lambert, and Rev. Francis T. Benson mobilized the congregation spiritually toward realizing a new permanent building.
In 2006, the DCC acquired land directly behind the Local Government Bolo District Office from the Bolo-Se-Council of Chiefs. The turning of the sod and foundation laying was performed on 16th June, 2007 by Rt. Rev. Tubokosemie Robinson Abere JP.
Through the instrumentality of Sir/Dame M. N. K. Tamuno, a parsonage was built and dedicated. The church was formally christened St. Joseph's (Anglican) Church by Bishop Abere on 30th June, 2012. Three years later, it reached another milestone when Bishop Abere inaugurated the church to the glory of God on Friday, 24th April, 2015. The Reverend Ibinabo D. George, who served as Ordinand in 2002 and Deacon in 2003, became Priest-in-Charge in 2004.