The Founding Story
The Advent of Christianity in Kalio-Ama
The Advent of Christianity in Kalio-Ama is as old as the advent of Christianity in Okrika Land, because the three sons of Kalio-Ama — Chief Daniel Oju Kalio, Abednego Pribiapu and John Ibisimewari — were among the first congregation of St. Peter's Church, Okrika. As the light of God dispelled darkness across Okrika, quest for more churches spurred the people. The people of Kalio-Ama keyed into this move, and positive consultative meetings were held among their sons about opening a church at home.
In a particular meeting of the Okrika District Church held at St. Peter's Church early 1906, the decision was made to officially establish churches in several communities — Kalio-Ama, George-Ama, Ogan-Ama, Abuloma, Okujagu-Ama and Amadi-Ama. Of those earmarked towns, only Kalio-Ama and Amadi-Ama were found to be fertile grounds for church planting that year, based on the positive reaction of their people. Rev'd. James Boyle of the Church Missionary Society (C.M.S.) proved himself a ready vessel of God for church planting.
Church planting in Kalio-Ama was made easy for several reasons: the town already had a War-canoe House chief who was himself a good Christian; a reliable crop of faithful converts who worshipped at St. Peter's; and members who had borne the brunt of canoe mishaps and weather hazards travelling to Okrika for church and desperately desired their own place of worship.
The First Congregation — 6th November, 1906
On 6th November, 1906, Rev'd. James Boyle and his evangelical team arrived Kalio-Ama. Finding no building, he jingled a hand bell and gathered the Christian congregation under a large mango tree belonging to Pa James Obudibo behind the present Town Hall. He preached on the theme: "GOD IS EVERYWHERE" — revealing the three Divine Attributes of Omnipotence, Omniscience, and Omnipresence.
Members of the First Congregation
- Chief Daniel Oju Kalio — facilitated Rev. Boyle's evangelical journey from Okrika
- Chief Abednego Priboapu — later donated the first bell to the church
- Pa John Ibisimewari — later surrendered his sitting room as a place of worship
- Chief Oriyebaka — officially took over the staff of Christianity from Chief Kalio
- Pa Elijah Amadukobipi Abbey — father of the first trained Catechist in Kalio-Ama
- Chief Adikibipi Obudibo — grandfather of Prof. Owen T. Adikibi
- Pa Peters Fingesi — grandfather of Asst. Chief Christian Peters Obudibo
- Chief Horsfall Adawo — grandfather of Late Sir C. B. Omons-Kalio
- Chief Fyneman
- Pa Amiebara Isaiah — grandfather of Mr. Lemuel Oduko
- Pa Nathaniel Abbey — grandfather of Madam Fidelia Abbey
- Pa Peter Aberesikima — grandfather of Late Madam Peter-Kalio
The Buildings
A Century of Growth in Stone & Spirit
Nov 1906
–
May 1907
The Church Under the Mango Tree
St. Mary's Church was born in the open air under a large mango tree at the central square of Kalio-Ama. The congregation worshipped here for about seven months before a devastating thunderstorm brought branches crashing down during a Sunday service.
1907
–
1910
A Nursery Bed — The Sitting Room Church
After the storm scattered the congregation, Pa John Ibisimewari happily surrendered the sitting room of his house as a temporary place of worship. The church functioned there under the leadership of Mr. Clement O. Kalio and Mr. John Obianime Obudibo until a permanent building was feasible.
1910
–
1920
The First Church Building
In October 1909 the Christians cleared the permanent site donated by the chiefs and elders. A building of mangrove sticks, red mud walls, and a thatched roof was completed and sanctified for use in April 1910. Eucharistic functions were carried out by a priest from St. Peter's Church from 1907–1916. The first employed church worker, Mr. Davies Okocha, arrived in 1917 to head both church and the newly opened mission school.
1921
–
1954
The Second Building
By 1920, the growing congregation made the first building sub-standard in size and quality. It was demolished and a second building of moulded blocks was erected and completed in early 1921 under Agent Davies Okocha. This building served Kalio-Ama as church and school for 34 years. The separation of church and school leadership became complete in 1953.
1955
–
Present
The Present-Day Church Building
Plans for a befitting edifice began with individual donations from 1952. Mr. Humphrey Cole Adikibi championed the cause. A broad-based building committee was constituted. The official foundation stone was laid by Rt. Revd. Ebenezer T. Dimieari, Bishop of Niger Delta Diocese, on 15th February, 1958. Building work progressed through successive agents. The building was dedicated on 19th February, 1983 by Rt. Revd. Samuel O. Elenwo, attended by His Royal Majesty Sir S. P. U. Ogan, Ado VII, Amanyanabo of Okrika Kingdom.
Present Building Committee (1955)
Family Group Representatives
- Odudibo Group: Allison Peters, Eugene Tamunodukoye, Sobere Obudibo, Madam Isabelle Peters
- Kalio Group: Godwin A. Kalio, Adumo Israel Kalio, Madam Ethel Iniabipi Kalio
- Abbey Group: Humphrey Cole Adikibi, Fred Abbey, Madam Racheal Abbey
- Abarioriaka/Priboapu Group: Jeremiah S. Enyi Priboapu, Joshua Gogo Priboapu, Madam Alice Priboapu
- Oriyebaka Group: Mordecai Oriyebaka, Adline Oriyebaka
- Omoniwari Group: Joshua Omoniwari, John T. Omoniwari, Madam Janet Omuniwari
- Fyneman Group: Fred Fyneman, Madam Janet Fyneman
Notable Donors to the Present Church
- Sir Eli D. Kalio — First triple Altar windows with stained glass
- Sir Owen C. Kalio — Floor tiling & interior painting
- Mr. Alpheous T. Kalio — First Red Carpet
- Mr. Obed M. Kalio — Two large Altar chairs
- Mr. Precious Peters — Twelve ceiling fans
- Mr. Amangiaka Fyneman — Internal wiring & wall clock
- Prof. Owen T. Adikibi — Staffs for the Wardens
- Mr. Abednego G. P. Kalio — First Baptismal font
Agents & Headteachers
Leadership Timeline, 1917 – 1957
Church Agents who also served as School Headteachers
| # | Name | Years |
|---|
| 1 | Mr. Davies Okocha — First church worker & headteacher; opened mission school; oversaw 2nd building | 1917 – 1921 |
| 2 | Mr. Gabriel Igwa (later Chief Oputibeya) | 1922 – 1925 |
| 3 | Mr. Benjamin Dakoru — Gifted choirmaster and music instructor | 1926 – 1929 |
| 4 | Mr. Rufus Abam & Mr. Miefama B. | 1929 – 1931 |
| 5 | Mr. Micah Joseph Kalio — Grew church and school membership | 1931 – 1932 |
| 6 | Mr. Jonah Orubima — Made Mr. Percy Peters an unlicensed lay reader | 1932 – 1933 |
| 7 | Mr. Henry T. Aprioku — Mr. Joseph Sokins became first indigenous Choirmaster (1934) | 1934 |
| 8 | Mr. Walter Aberepikima — First five girls admitted to the choir | 1935 – 1937 |
| 9 | Mr. Rowland M. Dappa — St. Mary's first PCC representative at St. Peter's Okrika (1939) | 1938 – 1939 |
| 10 | Mr. Joseph T. Ngeri — First Baptismal classes; church became recognised station | 1940 – 1941 |
| 11 | Mr. L. Alabipisika — First Communicant Bible Class; 15 communicants transferred from St. Peter's | 1942 – 1943 |
| 12 | Mr. Douglas Abbey — First Church Working Committee constituted | 1944 – 1945 |
| 13 | Mr. Godwin B. Ogan — Introduced free Junior Primary education; significant growth in roll | 1946 – 1947 |
| 14 | Mr. Felix A. D. Kalio — St. Mary's joined Abuloma Group; school advanced to Standard 3 | 1948 |
| 15 | Mr. Lawson A. Daka — First Standard 3 exams written | 1949 – 1950 |
| 16 | Mr. Marcus I. Igbiri — Last combined church/school leader; separation of roles began 1952 | 1951 |
| — | Mr. A. S. Gbobo — Church Head (after separation) | 1953 – 1954 |
| — | Mr. J. K. D. Ibiayemie (later Ven.) — Prompted demolition of 2nd building; church attained Parish status 1971 | 1955 – 1958 & 1962 |
| — | Mr. R. D. Olunwa | 1959 – 1960 |
| — | Agent M. I. Fubara | 1961 |
| — | F. W. Ahialele | 1963 – 1964 |
| — | W. D. S. Okuru — Anglican Youth Fellowship inaugurated; building work continued | 1965 – 1969 |
| — | Agent Golden Alalibo — Built present bungalow parsonage; plastering of church commenced | 1970 – 1971 |
| — | Agent Felix I. S. Fimie — Completed all building work of present church | 1972 – 1973 |
| — | Mr. D. O. Kalaiyo (later Catechist) | 1974 – 1979 |
| — | Catechist Emmanuel A. Iyaye (later Ven.) — First catechist sent to St. Mary's; completed interior decoration | 1981 – 1983 |
A New Chapter
An Autonomous Parish Church
Granted with effect from 1st January, 1984
After eight months of the church's dedication, a letter of application dated 10th October, 1983 was formally raised for approval. The autonomous Parish was granted by the Niger Delta Diocese with effect from 1st January, 1984. A newly ordained deacon, Revd. T. N. Oriaku, was sent to St. Mary's Church Kalio-Ama as the first ordained Pastor on 27th January, 1984. The Parish inauguration was done on 17th November, 1984 by Rt. Revd. Samuel O. Elenwo.
During the second tenure of Revd. T. R. Abere, St. Mary's also became the Headquarters of the newly approved Okrika West Archdeaconry (OWA), successfully inaugurated on 16th January, 1999. The church has also hosted several landmark Diocesan programmes: the 2000 Board Meeting of Niger Delta Diocese which approved the creation of Okrika South Archdeaconry (OSA); and, for the first time, an Ordination Service under the Niger Delta Diocese — at which Revd. Precious Amadi, Revd. Bright King, Revd. Tamunokonbia Iyolobia, and 6 others were ordained or priested.
Ordained Ministry
Vicars of St. Mary's Church, Kalio-Ama
| # | Vicar | Curate | Years |
|---|
| 1 | Revd. T. N. Oriaku — First Ordained Pastor | — | 1984 |
| 2 | Revd. Can. C. I. Abigo | — | 1990 – 1991 |
| 3 | Rev. Can. E. Agala-Okor | Revd. Godfrey G. B. Kalio | 1992 |
| 4 | Revd. T. R. Abere (1st journey) | Revd. G. G. B. Kalio | 1993 |
| 5 | Revd. T. S. Bongili | — | 1997 |
| 6 | Revd. T. R. Abere (2nd journey) — OWA inaugurated 16 Jan 1999 | — | 1998 |
| 7 | Revd. Boma Briggs | — | 1999 – 2001 |
| 8 | Revd. Oribi Kalio | — | 2002 – 2003 |
| 9 | Ven. T. R. Abere (3rd journey) — Archdeacon/Vicar; elected Pioneer Bishop 2003 | Rev. Can. G. T. Orabere | 2003 |
| 10 | Rev. Can. G. T. Orabere | — | 2003 – 2007 |
| 11 | Rev. Can. Tamuno-opubo E. Lasbrey | Revd. Obikabo N. Brown | 2007 – 2010 |
| 12 | Revd. Obikabo N. Brown (Acting, 4 months) | Revd. Allwell Fibika | Oct 2010 – Jan 2011 |
| 13 | Revd. Imunafikabo T. Davids | — | 2011 – 2013 |
| 14 | Rev. Can. Tamunodikipiri T. Abereoku (now Ven.) | Revd. Iweriso I. Kok | 2013 – 2015 |
| 15 | Rev. Can. Ibisabo H. Inichinbia (now Ven.) | Revd. Hezekiah A. Christian | 2015 – 2021 |
| 16 | Ven. G. T. Iringe-Koko PhD | Rev. Can. Francis T. Bensom | 2021 – 2023 |
| 17 | Ven. Bennett Tamunobelema PhD | Rev. Can. Kenneth T. Odikabo | 2023 – 2024 |
| 18 | Ven. Obikabo N. Brown | Revd. Dandy T. West | 2024 – Present |
The Fifteen Foundational Communicants (1942)
First Communicants transferred from St. Peter's Church, Okrika
- Clement Omubo Kalio
- Elijah Amadukobipi Abbey-Kalio
- Richard Oyikabofori Kalabo P. Kalio
- Cornelia Oruta P. Kalio
- Cyrus Sunday P. Kalio
- Alexander Kalio
- Eunice Ibarakubuaye Abbey-Kalio
- Elizabeth Datariba Oriyebaka
- Regina Abednego Priboapu
- Naomi N. Kalio
- Charles Genesis
- Cordelia Bunchiebo Kalio
- Sarah Olu Kalio
- Dorcas Sowari Kalio
- Rhoda Nwachia Kalio
Current Officers & Workers
Serving Today
Ven. Obikabo N. Brown
Vicar
Revd. Dandy T. West
Curate
Mrs. Mary Daniel Gobo
Administrative Staff
Sir Idasimeokuma G. Kalio
Treasurer
Mr. Dagogo Ebenezer
Pastor's Warden
Mr. Iwowari Aminadoki
Choirmaster
Mr. Obie Fiekabo
Keyboardist
Mr. Joseph L. Ogan
Sexton
St. Mary's Church, Kalio-Ama
Headquarters, Okrika West Archdeaconry
Diocese of Okrika, Anglican Communion