Okrika Archdeaconry

The idea of an Archdeaconry had its beginning during the tenure of Rev. S. P. O. Mammah, the Superintendent Pastor of Okrika District when the Joint Meeting between Okrika District (including Ogoloma and Bolo) and Ogu District started in 1971. The inaugural Meeting was held on 4th February, 1971. The next Meeting held on 20th February saw 27 delegates — 19 from Okrika and 8 from Ogu. In that Meeting, the issue of the Name came up. Wakirike Archdeaconry and Minapu Archdeaconry were suggested but kept in view because the application for the Status had not been made.

For 9 years the agitation for the Archdeaconry was silent, after which the Parish Church Council (PCC) of St. Peter's Church, Okrika summoned a Joint Okrika Districts Council Meeting for Okrika, Ogu, Bolo and Ogoloma on 30th November, 1980 during Rev. Iwo's tenure.

On 14th February, 1982, a resolution for the naming of the new Archdeaconry was formally adopted. The motion carried in favour of "Okrika Archdeaconry" with 21 votes against 4 votes for "Kịrịkẹ Sẹ Archdeaconry." On 27th April, 1982, the Diocesan Board sitting at All Saints' Church, Rumukorosi approved the creation of Okrika Archdeaconry. On Tuesday 4th May, 1982 — the second day of the 1st Session of the 11th Synod — the Diocesan, Rt. Rev. Samuel O. Elenwo proclaimed the Okrika Archdeaconry, with a take-off date of 1st January, 1983.

On Quinquagesima Sunday, 13th February, 1983, at 10:00 am, in a solemn service at St. Peter's Church, Okrika, Ven. Jason E. Oruama, Archdeacon of Bonny Archdeaconry, raised the right hand of Ven. Nicholas A. Alasomuka as the inaugural Archdeacon of the new Okrika Archdeaconry. The Diocesan, Rt. Rev. Samuel O. Elenwo preached from Nehemiah 2:18: "And they said, let us rise up and build."

Three new Archdeaconries were later created out of the residual Okrika Archdeaconry — OKA, ONA, OWA and OSA — in preparation for the long-awaited Diocese of Okrika. When the Rt. Rev. Tubokosemie R. Abere was enthroned as Bishop and the Diocese of Okrika was inaugurated in November 2003, Ven. E. C. Ilogu was transferred to St. James' Church, Ogoloma as the first Archdeacon of Okrika Archdeaconry in the new Diocese.

In 2022, during the 1st Session of the 7th Synod sitting at St. Luke's Church, Abam-Ama Deanery, the Lord Bishop, Rt. Rev. Enoch Atuboyedia JP pronounced St. Paul's Ibuluya/Dikibo and All Saints' Okochiri as Mainland Deanery and Okochiri Deanery respectively. Okrika Archdeaconry presently comprises: St. James' Church Ogoloma; St. Matthais Church, Isaka with St. Clement, Belema Ama; St. Augustine's Church, Ibaka with St. Michael's, Bome; and St. Matthew's Church, Ogbogbo.

Prior to the birth of St. James' Church, faithful families of Ogoloma Community — particularly wealthy oil traders and Chiefs — had embraced the Christian religion brought to Okrika Island by Chief Atorudibo. Prominent among the Ogoloma worshippers were Chiefs Somiari, Ibanibo, Okpokiri, Chief Tomonitemeka Joseph Koko, David Olunwa Koko, and Ruth Ada Somiari. They all worshipped at St. Peter's Church, Okrika.

Chief T. J. Koko later left for the Christ Army Church (CAC) at Bakana in Kalabari after receiving healing from Prophet Garrick Sokari Idaketima Braide. However, observing erroneous principles within the CAC — including indiscriminate baptism and personality worship — and compelled by a divine dream, he resolved to return to St. Peter's Church, Okrika.

With the support of Ogoloma Chiefs and the Vicar of St. Peter's, Rev. Max A. Cole, an Anglican Church for Ogoloma was agreed upon. On Sunday, 24th June, 1917, members from Ogoloma renounced their CAC membership and returned to the fold. Rev. Max A. Cole christened the new congregation ST. JAMES' CHURCH, OGOLOMA, which became the second Anglican Church established in Okrika Island.

A permanent concrete Church building was commenced in 1923. The building was completed in 1930 and dedicated by Rt. Rev. A. M. E. Gelsthorpe and T. C. John in 1935. In 1971, the Church attained Autonomous Parish status. The magnificent new Church building, whose foundation was laid by Rt. Rev. T. R. Abere JP on 5th November, 2010, was dedicated on Saturday, 12th October, 2019 — celebrating St. James' Church's 100 years of spiritual endeavour.

The Cathedral Revival Fellowship was set up in 1990 to revive spiritually weak churches by planting Revival Fellowships. Following a 3-day crusade organized by the Cathedral Revival Fellowship of St. Peter's Cathedral (theme: "Abide in me" — John 15:4), beginning February 8, 2007, the Graeme-Ama Fellowship Centre was formally established on Sexagesima Sunday, February 11, 2007, at Elder Stephen Amapakabo's home.

The Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Revd. T. R. Abere (JP), preached at that inaugural service. Attendance was approximately 89 persons. Five local helpers were specially appointed under the auspices of the Cathedral Revival Fellowship. In 2010, the Owoi War Canoe House donated their hall for services. On Saturday, 19th September, 2015, the elders and chiefs of Graeme-Ama allocated land and performed the formal Okolobapike Ceremony for the church. On 8th December 2020, the turning of the soil was done by Rt. Revd. Dr. Enoch Atuboyedia JP, and foundation work commenced.

The Missionary Anglican Church at Graeme-Ama, Okrika was christened on Sunday, 21st March, 2021 by Rt. Revd. Dr. Enoch Atuboyedia JP as The Good Shepherd (Ang.) Church, Graeme-Ama, Okrika.

Christ the King Anglican Church was established after a 2-day Revival programme from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd March, 2013, organized by St. Peter's Cathedral. Called "Egweme Worship Centre", it held its first service at Tomo Prayer House on Sunday, 3rd March, 2013 with 82 persons in attendance. The programme was led by the Venerable Enoch Atuboyedia (now Bishop of the Diocese of Okrika), who preached from Isaiah 54:17.

Land was acquired through Ven. Dr. Minakuro Aprioku, and Rt. Hon. and Lady Bright Gogo (KSC) willingly erected a befitting worship centre. The church was formally dedicated and christened on Saturday, 23rd March, 2013, by Rt. Revd. Tubokoseimie R. Abere (JP), from Isaiah 56:7. Attendance at dedication: 150 persons.

The church started in 1998 as a fellowship named the Christian Church Alakiri (CCA). It was officially handed over to the Anglican Church Niger Delta Diocese under Okrika Archdeaconry, headed by Ven. C. K. Erekosima, on 9th September, 2001. Before the handover, the elders of the land — under the leadership of the Amayanabo of Ofiomina-Ama, Late Akuro Solomon — agreed they wanted an Anglican church rather than a Pentecostal denomination.

Notable events include a pastoral visit by Rt. Revd. Tubokosemie Robinson Abere (JP) following the community crises of 14th September, 2008, and the first Episcopal visit of Rt. Revd. Dr. Enoch Atuboyedia (JP) on 2nd April, 2023. The Second Episcopal visit on 22nd June, 2025 saw 31 persons confirmed.