A Bishop's Vision
History of the Church
Planted by St. Luke's Anglican Church, Abam-Ama
In 2004, St. Luke's Anglican Church, Abam-Ama planted another Church at Omonobie (Abam-Phase II), Okrika during the tenure of Rev. Iboroma Frank Peters as Vicar. This was the result of the first Episcopal Visit of the pioneer Bishop of the Diocese of Okrika, the Rt. Revd. Tubokosemie R. Abere JP, to St. Luke's on Friday, 8th July 2004. During an Episcopal Jesus rally session of Evangelism, the Bishop called the attention of Elder Allen I. Amakiri (now KSC) and the Youth Fellowship President Mr. Biebele S. D. Ibamieyeofori, pointed to where the Church is presently located, and instructed that a new Church be opened there.
In obedience, the Church opened on Sunday, 3rd October, 2004 in an uncompleted school building built by a community NGO called "Abam Front". Divine Worship was conducted in English to accommodate non-indigenes. On Saturday 12th July, 2008, the Lord Bishop christened the Church "Anglican Church of Restoration" during a fasting programme in his Episcopal visit.
The Church secured a permanent site given free of charge by the Abam Ado Royal House. The foundation stone of the concrete building was laid by the Rector of Abam Deanery, Ven. Precious Papamie Nyanaboibi, on Monday 8th November, 2021. The Diocese provided ₦1,000,000 for the roofing of the new worship centre. The church moved to its permanent site on Sunday 27th October, 2024, holding its annual adult harvest the same day.
Early Days
The Advent of Christianity in Okuru-Ama
Christianity was indisputably brought into Okrika by Chief Atorudibo in 1878. Soon after, Okuru-Ama received the gospel. The early believers were organized by Orisoibibia Miefama Mesiba, meeting first in Punuma Okuru's sitting room. As their numbers swelled, they relocated to Dueinta, worshipping together with Abuloma brethren.
The joint worship eventually became infeasible, prompting the Okuru-Ama brethren to pull out and establish an Anglican Church in the 1920s. However, the congregation later split, and for a short time reunited with Abuloma, before retracing their steps back to Okuru-Ama in 1954 to establish St. Mark's Church, Oruboko/Mesiba in Madam Iganipirima Kurobo's house.
In 1960, the community's UNA denomination also converted into an Anglican Church, taking the name St. Michael's Anglican Church, Okuru-Ama. These twin churches operated parallel to each other, often reflecting the ethno-political rivalry between the Oruboko and Ikalile factions.
Unification
Amalgamation of the Anglican Churches
Forming the Holy Trinity Church, O.M.I.
Following the horrors of the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), well-meaning citizens led a drive toward unifying the two rival churches to heal the community. In the house of Isaac Edwin Oruboko, he and young men like Levi S. Okuru and George Ebenezer Owunaka resolved that a unified church was necessary for peace.
On 25th June, 1971, an amalgamation committee representing the three constituent families (Oruboko, Mesiba, Ikalile) entered a final agreement. On 7th February, 1971, Ven. Harold E. Oriaku hallowed the new united church, christened Holy Trinity Anglican Church, O.M.I. Okuru-Ama. The union dissolved the parallel factions, proving a massive victory for Anglicanism and peace in the community.
Parish Status, Crisis, and the Church in Exile
In 1990, the dream of Parish Status was actualized with Revd. Nelson V. Fubara posted as the first Vicar. In 1994, under Revd. G. G. B. Kalio, the pro-cathedral edifice was dedicated. Holy Trinity was one of the liveliest churches in the Niger Delta Diocese until the devastating community crisis of 22nd–23rd October 2001.
The violence scattered the saints and destroyed the church building. The church went into exile, eventually worshipping in the Bethel Church Amadi Ama school hall. Yet the people’s resolve held strong. In 2006, the congregation made an "Exodus" back to Okuru-Ama to a newly roofed children's hall.
Rather than renovating the desecrated old building, the church successfully laid the foundation for a brilliant New Church in 2013, temporarily dedicated in June 2020 by Rt. Rev. T. R. Abere JP.
Elevation
Inauguration of Okuru-Ama Deanery
As the Diocese of Okrika expanded, the Okuru-Ama faithful long prayed for their own Deanery. In a surprise announcement during a Diocesan Board Meeting on 9th March 2021, Bishop Enoch Atuboyedia JP formally created the Okuru-Ama Deanery effective 1st April 2021. Ven. Tamuno-opubo E. Lasbrey became the first Rector.
Historical Records
Historical Church Workers
St. Michael's Church (1960–1971)
- W. D. Sokiari (Agent) 1960
- Jephthah Okuru (Agent/Helper) 1961–1967
- C. Sona Chuku (Agent) 1963
- Ebenezer Okuru (Agent) 1968–1969
- W. D. S. Okuru (Agent) 1970–1971
St. Mark's Church (1954–1971)
- E. T. E. Oyyah (Local Helper) 1954–1955
- John T. Pologbo (Agent) 1958
- Levi O. Alli (Agent) 1956–1957
- Herrick S. A. Ogan (Agent) 1957
- R. D. Olunwa (Agent) 1958
- Evaa F. Adoki (Agent) 1959
- J. K. D. Ibiayemie (Agent) 1960–1961
- Harry S. Ogan (Catechist) 1962–1963
- E. A. I. Oloko (Later Revd. Iyaye) 1970–1971
Holy Trinity Church (Amalgamated 1971 – Present)
| # | Minister/Worker | Role | Period |
|---|
| 1 | Peter Max A. Ogan | Agent | 1971–1972 |
| 2 | W. D. S. Okuru (Later Revd.) | Agent | 1973–1977 |
| 3 | Harry B. Okujagu | Catechist | 1978 |
| 4 | Patrick S. Wakama | Agent | 1979–1983 |
| 5 | F. A. E. Bipialaka | Catechist | 1965–1988 |
| 6 | Udo John Mark | Catechist | 1988–1990 |
| 7 | Revd. N. V. Fubara | 1st Vicar | 1990–1993 |
| 8 | Rev. G. G. B. Kalio | Pastor | 1994–2000 |
| 9 | Rev. John Mark Tibidabo | Pastor | 2000–2001 |
| 10 | Mr. James B. Atubo | Church Teacher | 2002–2010 |
| 11 | Revd. James B. A. Atubo | Priest | 2010–2012 |
| 12 | Rev. Standford Ezekiel | Priest | 2012–2019 |
| 13 | Rev. A. D. Elebe | Priest | 2019–2021 |
| 14 | Ven. T. E. Lasbrey | 1st Rector | Jan 2021–Apr 2021 |
| 15 | Rev. Can. Odikibo | Vicar | May 2021–2022 |
| 16 | Ven. Akuro Omubo | Rector | Aug 2022–Jan 2024 |
| 17 | Ven. Dr. I. R. Daka | Vicar | Jan 2025–Date |
| 18 | Evang. Nelson Johnwill | Deacon | Jan 2025–Date |
| 19 | Rev. Chinedu Nwolisa | Curate | Aug 2024–Date |
Administrative Officers
- Mr. Dango Dagogo
- Late Lady Comfort I. G. Kalio
- Mr. Tamunokonbia Wisdom 2019–2020
- Mrs. Deinma Dexterity 2020–2024
- Mrs. Lydia Joseph-Inimgba 2024–Date
Sextons & Drivers
- Late Maxwell Fikabo Abel (Sexton)
- Late Pa Damieari Samuel (Sexton)
- Mr. Gad T. Reuben (Sexton)
- Comr. King Magnus (Sexton)
- Mr. Israel W. D. S. Okuru (Driver)
Anglican Church of Restoration & Holy Trinity Anglican Church
Abam Deanery & Okuru-Ama Deanery
Diocese of Okrika, Anglican Communion