The African Church Complete Profile & Latest Information
All important details about The African Church. The African church with over 120 years of existence is a Christian denomination that was established in the former British colonial areas, currently Nigeria. The Church was formed as the result of a disagreement in the Anglican Church between missionaries and a group of African Christians over indigenous leadership. The current primate of the African Church is His Eminence, Dr. Emmanuel Udofia.
This blog post is a complete profile of The African Church, a Christian denomination that was established in Nigeria over 120 years ago as a result of a disagreement in the Anglican Church between missionaries and a group of African Christians over indigenous leadership. The write-up covers important details about the history of the church, its founder, the Lagos central diocese of the African Church, and the current primate. The write-up also provides information about the school established by the African Church in 1902, and the different constitutions enacted by the church. Additionally, the write-up includes statistical information about the church’s founding day and the number of members as well as how to be a member of the African church.
History of The African Church
Who is the founder of The African Church?
The African Church was founded on October 13, 1901, due to a dispute between the European and native African leadership of the Anglican Church. The conflict arose at Breadfruit Church in Lagos and concerned the transfer of Bishop J.J. Johnson who had been consecrated as an assistant Bishop of the Niger, without adequate arrangements being made for his new abode and necessary comforts in his new district.
The church committee asked to allow Bishop J.J. Johnson to continue his pastoral care at St. Paul’s Breadfruit until arrangements could be made for him, but this request was ignored, and Bishop J.J. Johnson’s pastoral care was terminated immediately. The people’s warden, J.K. Coker, and other members were displeased with the treatment of Johnson and his sister, and they formed the Indigenous African Church.
The first service of the African Church was held at Rose Cottage, Marina, and was led by Elder (Chief) J.K. Coker, who became the Chief of the founders of the African Church at the age of 36. The majority of the parishioners of St. Jude’s Church, Ebute-Metta, were in sympathy with their brothers and sisters at Breadfruit Church and were in agreement with their right to secede from that church. Wrangling and discussions were going on at St. Jude’s Church since October 13, 1909. The opportunity came when their own pastor, Revd. J.S. Williams was asked to help dedicate the building of the first Bethel Church, hurriedly erected at Balogun Street, Lagos, by those who seceded from Breadfruit Church. Bishop Oluwole, under whom Revd. J.S. Williams was serving at St. Jude’s Church, queried him and stopped his monthly salary of E6.00. Revd. J.S. Williams carried on his job without salary for some time, and his parishioners contributed from their purses to pay him a salary of E4.00.
Revd. J.S. Williams assisted the secessionists to dedicate their church building to keep them from joining other denominations and to make it possible for them to settle with and be reabsorbed into the CMS Church later on. However, he resigned his appointment with CMS Church when Bishop Oluwole charged him for disloyalty and treachery. The parishioners of St. Jude’s Church revolted and formed the Ebute-Metta Church of the African Church Organization, which continued worshipping at the premises of St. Jude’s Church.
In the early stages of the development of the Africa Church, back in 1902, there was a pressing need to attract some of the brightest minds in Lagos to join the organization. Mr. S.A. Jibowu proposed a school to be founded, and discussions were held with individuals such as A.W. Thomas, J.R. ShANU, M.W. Davies, F.E. Williams, E. Sogunro, and others. They were asked to provide assistance in founding the school, which was badly needed due to the possibility of CMS Schools turning away the children of secessionists. The response was positive, and Bethel School was established that same year, with Elikenah Williams serving as the first Headmaster.
It is worth noting that only A.W. Thomas and Fredric Ephraim Williams joined the Africa Church, despite the efforts to attract others. A.W. Thomas, who had initially opposed the Africa Church and even refused to let them use his auctioneer’s benches at the opening of the first Bethel Church, eventually became a strong supporter. He was appointed the first lady-lay, a position he held until 1921, when he was removed for obstructing an investigation into a dispute between Bethlehem Church and their pastor, Revd. Atandaolu, who was charged with polygamy. Fredric E. Williams also played a critical role in consolidating the African Church Organization after the tumultuous period of 1905-1916. He was, in fact, the person who initially appealed for reunification.
HISTORY OF THE CONSTITUTION
The 1ST Constitution was enacted on, Thursday, 14th December, 1922. This meeting was composed of the representatives of the two organizations (The African church Bethel and the African church Salem).
The 2nd Amended Constitution, was dated 11 MAY, 1979. Whereas it was further considered at the joint conference of the Clergy and the Laity assembled at the Cathedral, church of Christ, Calabar on the 11th of May, 1979 that the constitution should be further revised and it was revised.
The 3rd amended constitution, was dated 27th February 1992. “Whereas there was crisis within The African Church in May 1987 which split the Church into two sections.
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The African Church Statistics
- FOUNDING DAY: The African Church was founded on October 13, 1901.
- NUMBER OF MEMBERS: The African Church has an estimated membership of 2,080,000 people.
- HEADQUARTERS: The corporate headquarters for The African Church is located at, 12/14, Odunlami Street, off Broad Street, P.O. Box 6155, Lagos, Nigeria.
- PARISHES: The African Church has about 720 individual parishes.
- FOUNDER: The Chief of the founders of The African Church is Elder (Chief) J.K. Coker
- CURRENT LEADERS: The current Primate of The African Church is His Eminence, Dr. Emmanuel Udofia.
The African Church Leadership
- The Conference
The highest governing body of the African church is the Conference.
The African Church structure has the;
- Primate who serves as the spiritual head and is also the head of the clergy, and the
- Lay President who is the head of the laity.
Major decisions affecting the Church are taken by both the clergy and the laity. Since 1983 clergy are trained at the African Church College of Theology, which since 1992 has been affiliated with the University of Ibadan until recently.
Currently, the African Church is under the leadership of His Eminence, Dr. Emmanuel Udofia. However, Archbishop Julius Olayinka Osayande Abbe was illegally and improperly installed as the factional Primate of the African Church on March 22, 2020, by a retired primate of the Church, His Eminence Abraham Onadotun Olumuyiwa Onanuga, at the African Arch Cathedral located at 59 Broad Street, Lagos, which is the National Headquarters of the Church. This act has been widely condemned by the Christian community and is against the laws governing the process.
The African Church Programmes / Events Calendar
Stay- up-to-date with African church events and programmes calendar for this year.
How to be a Member of The African Church?
Our church is open and friendly with many social activities. To keep our church running smoothly, we have committees anyone can join. We have a strong sense of community with parishioners.
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The African Church Vision and Mission Statements
Church Vision
To proclaim Jesus Christ’s faithfulness, to declare the ways of the Lord to the world, so that they can live a righteous life and seek their salvation with fear and trembling.
Church Mission
To proclaim Jesus Christ’s faithfulness, to declare the ways of the Lord to the world, so that they can live a righteous life and seek their salvation with fear and trembling.
Doctrinal Statements
The African church holds and maintains the faith, sacrament, and discipline of the church of Christ as our Lord Jesus Christ has commanded in the Holy Bible. The Church holds as it’s standard of worship and practices, the Book of by the Conference fir the conduct of public worship and ceremonies.
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The African Church Social Media Handles and Contacts
You can join The African Church in spreading the message of love, compassion, and faith in the modern world. Follow, like, and engage with The African Church official social media handles,
The African Church Ministries, and Affiliations
CHURCH GROUP
The African Church Bethel and the African Church Salem have officially merged and are now a single entity called THE AFRICAN CHURCH.
The Church runs several schools, two hospitals and some social centers and development projects. It publishes a guide for daily Bible reading (in English and Yoruba). The Church is widely popular in major cities outside Lagos, especially in Oyo, Ijebu, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Kwara, Kogi, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Benue and other areas. The Church participates in the activities of the Christian Association of Nigeria and World Council of Churches.
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The African Church In Photos
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