THE FIRST CHURCH IN NIGERIA WAS FOUNDED IN ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE

The first Church in Nigeria which was built in On 4th January 1844, a batch if Anglican Church missionaries from Sierra Leone arrived at Abeokuta through Badagry and remained in the city of Abeokuta for a week.

The missionaries included Henry Townsend a catechist in Sierra Leone and Mr. John M.Comark.

The visit of Townsend had been foretold by Ifa Oracle earlier, hence Townsend was warmly received by Chief Sodeke who was then the Balogun of Egbaland. Townsend conducted the first Christian service ever to be held in Abeokuta in Sodeke’s house on 5th January 1843.

After the return of Mr. Townsend with his team to Sierra Leone he submitted a good report of his visit to Abeokuta.

The parent committee of the Church Missionay Society (CMS) in England decided to establish a mission at Abeokuta.

Mr Townsend was invited back to England for his ordination in company of Rev. C. A Golmer and Rev. Ajayi Crowther.

The church had its floor and its seat and wall built with mud and it’s roof of thatched.