Did you know that while Badagry is the starting point of Christianity in Nigeria, Warri would have been the home of Nigeria's first church if the Portuguese missionary had established one in that popular city in current day Delta State?

Nigeria is one of the most religious countries in the world and it also has the highest number of churches. Even though historians claims that Christianity was brought to Nigeria in the sixteenth century by Portuguese missionaries, no definitive church was established before they departed.

Arguably, Badagry can be said to be the starting point of Christianity in Nigeria but not the first place to house a church. History teaches us that when Christianity first came to what is now known as Nigeria through the Portuguese missionary, no particular church was established before they left. If they had succeeded in consecrating one, Warri would have been the home of Nigeria's first church. Because when the Augustinian and Capuchin monks from Portugal came in through the Benin River, Warri was the first place they appeared. However, four centuries would have to pass, after the departure of the Portuguese monks, before the first mission of the Church of England, which is the Anglican church, was established in 1842 in Badagry by Henry Townsend.

After the priestly ordination of Henry Townsend in England, 1842, he set off for Sierra Leone. He would work there only a few months before coming to Nigeria as a result of the Yoruba mission. And from 1846 to 1867, Abeokuta became the vineyard that he was called to work.

Thomas Birch Freeman is, however, believed to be the first European to enter Abeokuta. He arrived the old city on 11 December 1842. He would meet with Henry Townsend on 24 December upon his return to Badagry. It was this meeting that birthed the first "Christmas Day" celebration in Nigeria.

Be that as it may, the foundation of Nigeria's first church would be laid in Ake, Abeokuta, by Rev. Andrew Desalu Wilhelm, years after the mission of Rev. Henry Townsend. The church, which is known as the cathedral church of St. Peters, was completed in 1898.

Being the first of its kind, it was only natural for the church to serve as a rallying point for a good number of early missionaries who were at the time, spreading the gospel of Christianity in Abeokuta and its environs.

Although a lot has changed since then, the old and original structure is still preserved within the church premises. A newer and bigger auditorium has been built where worship sessions are now being held. A hall named after Reverend Henry Townsend, the first missionary to Nigeria, is also located within the church premises. It is interesting that Reverend Henry Townsend also published the first newspaper titled Iwe Irohin.

In 2015, the church was awarded a certificate of honour and difference as the first and oldest church in Nigeria by T.I.N Magazine.

Source: Legit | Pulse

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