The Anglican Diocese on the Niger holds a significant place as the mother diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). Created in 1864, it has played a pivotal role in the growth and development of the Anglican Church in Nigeria and beyond.
All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha
Origins and Early Missionaries
The history of the Diocese on the Niger dates back to the Niger expeditions of 1830-1857. After the 1841 expedition, the white missionaries realized that Africa was best evangelized by Africans. This realization led to Samuel Ajayi Crowther being given a prominent role in the mission team to West Africa especially, the Igbo mission.
The origins of the Diocese on the Niger can be traced back to the missionary activities of the Church Missionary Society (CMS), under the leadership of Samuel Ajayi Crowther, an indigenous missionary priest who later ascended to the bishopric of the diocese. As the mission expanded, the need to appoint Crowther as a bishop became increasingly evident.
His leadership played a pivotal role in church growth in the region, laying a robust groundwork for subsequent missions and the evolution of the church in the area. The converts Crowther garnered during his missionary activities exhibited loyalty to him and subsequently became strong advocates of the new diocese, which he established along the Niger river in West Africa.
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Bishop Crowther was designated as the leader of the CMS mission to the Niger area, a role which implicitly placed him as the indigenous spiritual overseer throughout the Western region of Africa.
The mission train under the leadership Dr. William Baikie arrived Onitsha on Sunday, 26 July 1857. On 27 July 1857 the king of Onitsha, Obi Akazua and his elders-in-council gave the party a warm official welcome. J.C Taylor of Igbo origin played a vital role in the early mission activities in Igbo land.
Samuel Crowther was ordained for the Niger mission on Trinity Sunday in 1844, and consecrated as the first ever black Anglican bishop on the Feast of St Peter, 29 June 1864, by Charles Longley, the Archbishop of Canterbury, at Canterbury Cathedral. By this consecration, he became the bishop of the Diocese of Equatorial West Africa, with its headquarters in Onitsha.
Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther: A Paradoxical Legacy
However, there exists a paradoxical situation within the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion with regard to Bishop Crowther’s recognition and legacy. On one hand, Crowther is acknowledged as the founding figure of the Anglican Church in Nigeria. His pioneering efforts to establish the church in the region have been widely accepted and documented.
On the other hand, it is a matter of historical contention that the diocese which Crowther led - arguably the seedbed of the Anglican Church in Nigeria - is not recognized as the first indigenous diocese within Nigerian boundaries. Consider, for instance, the Church Year Calendar of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion. Since its inception in 1979 through to the present day, there is no mention of Bishop Crowther’s episcopal service.
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The recorded history of Nigerian Bishops prior to 1979 begins with Bishop Melville Jones in 1919, leaving a glaring omission of Crowther and his successors’ contributions. This lack of recognition for Bishop Crowther in the ecclesiastical chronicles could potentially be viewed as an attempt to downplay his substantial influence on the Niger area’s episcopal ministry.
This seeming inconsistency about the episcopal ministry of Bishop Crowther raises questions about the criteria for such recognitions and how they are applied within the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion. Moreover, the narratives about Crowther’s missionary activities in the region are frequently skewed, often reflecting the perspectives and interests of those recounting his apostolic work.
This can lead to biased interpretations that favour certain perspectives over others, often to the detriment of a holistic and balanced understanding of Crowther’s contributions and the historical realities of his time.
Historical narratives regarding Bishop Crowther’s ministry, the first African bishop of the Western African Territories, have offered varying accounts. Some historians, like Page (Reference Page1908), have praised his achievements while others, such as Ayandele (Reference Ayandele1966), have questioned the effectiveness of his mission due to issues like ethnic rivalries and lack of strategic planning.
Mgbemena (Reference Mgbemena1992) clarifies that Crowther’s bishopric in the Niger dates back to 1864, despite some sources placing it later. His influence in the Niger area was notable. He was responsible for ordaining the first set of ministers in Onitsha, which became a launching pad for further missionary activities in Nigeria.
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The growth of the CMS mission in Nigeria, as outlined by Finney (Reference Finney2004, p. 122), was shaped by an increase in new converts, expansion of mission branches, and a need for leadership. This situation necessitated the evolution from missions to churches, leading to the creation of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion.
Despite strong opposition, this vision resulted in the consecration of Samuel A. Crowther, the first black bishop, in 1864, marking the emergence of the Niger Territories Diocese under his leadership.
However, the final years of Bishop Crowther’s tenure were mired in difficulties and escalating tensions with European missionaries under his supervision. By the 1880s, ‘dark clouds’ had started to gather over the Niger Mission.
Changes in mission policy, shifts in racial attitudes, alterations in evangelical spirituality, and the availability of new sources of European missionaries combined to slowly dismantle Crowther’s mission. Financial controls were tightened, young Europeans began to take over key roles, and the African staff members were dismissed, suspended, or transferred.
This systematic undermining of Crowther’s authority culminated in a damning report prepared by a CMS youth group in Cambridge, which dealt a severe blow to Crowther’s bishopric authority.
Left desolate and beleaguered, Crowther succumbed to a stroke and died shortly after in 1891. The passing of Bishop Crowther from a stroke on December 31, 1891, precipitated a period of profound challenge for the Church Missionary Society (CMS) across West Africa, particularly for the Niger Mission.
In a significant step towards reconciliation, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, acknowledged and apologized for the Church’s mistreatment of Crowther. During a ‘thanksgiving and repentance’ service marking the 150th anniversary of Bishop Crowther’s consecration, Welby expressed regret and shame over the betrayal and undermining of a rightfully consecrated bishop, stating, “It was wrong”.
Succession and Evolution of the Diocese
Nevertheless, the succession process following Crowther’s death underscored the legitimacy of his bishopric. For instance, the Church Missionary Society report for 1893-94 noted that the Archbishop of Canterbury accepted the Committee’s nomination of Revd Joseph Sidney Hill to the See left vacant by Bishop Crowther’s passing.
Post Crowther’s death, the jurisdiction of Lagos was made part of the Bishop of Western Equatorial Africa’s domain in 1898. This implies that throughout his tenure as a missionary bishop, Crowther never held authority over Lagos.
Succeeding Crowther, Bishop Joseph Sydney Hill assumed leadership in 1893, covering the same geographical span as Crowther, but under the new title of the Diocese of Western Equatorial Africa. Shortly after Hill’s death in 1894, Bishop Herbert Tugwell was consecrated and continued to uphold Onitsha as the headquarters of the Diocese.
In fact, under Tugwell’s tenure, the Diocese of Western Equatorial Africa further solidified its status by constituting its synod in 1904 and adopting the diocesan constitution in 1906.
Following the successful formation and growth of the Igbo mission, also known as the Niger Mission, the churches in Igboland were established as a separate diocese from the Diocese of Sierra Leone in 1864, with its headquarters in Onitsha. This initiative followed the principles outlined in the Lambert Conference Archives of 1920, Resolution 34 on missionary issues, which emphasizes the establishment of self-governing, self-supporting and self-extending churches.
Resolution 43 of the Lambert Conference Archives of 1920 provided additional guidelines for the conversion of a missionary diocese to a full-fledged episcopal diocese. It stated that the transition should occur when the missionary diocese becomes largely self-supporting and self-governed.
Asadu (Reference Asadu2023) highlighted that missionary dioceses are formed as a strategy for evangelism, as they are not self-supporting and depend on external funding. However, they evolve into full-fledged dioceses over time, depending on evidence of growth and financial independence.
This transition was evident in the ‘Decade of Evangelism’ in 1990 when ten missionary dioceses were created in Nigeria, all of which have since evolved into fully developed dioceses.
This evolutionary pattern of the creation and development of missionary dioceses in Nigeria can be traced back to the precedent set by Bishop Crowther, who pioneered the development of autonomous, progressively maturing missionary dioceses. The diocese he fostered began as a missionary diocese and grew into a full-fledged diocese by 1906, a considerable time before the establishment of the Lagos Diocese from the Diocese of Western Equatorial Africa in 1919.
In 1920 the Diocese of Equatorial West Africa was divided into two: an eastern part (the continuing diocese, now named the Diocese on the Niger) and a western part (a new diocese, named the Diocese of Lagos).
All Saints' Anglican Church Amakwa Ozubulu
Christianity was introduced in Ozubulu Community by the then Obi of Egbema, Chief Edward Nnubia Anadu, who got converted in Obosi in friend’s house) on his way to Agueri to see a “diviner” over some strange occurrences in his domain. When he brought the missionaries to Ozubulu he promptly introduced them to Obi of Ozubulu, Chief Ezeifeukwu Oruche 1 of Amakwa.
That same year, 1904, a church was established in front of the Obi’s palace by Enekebe (Ugonano of Obosi). Among the earliest convert to this first Church were Messers Jacob Ekwulundu and Isreal Ekwulundu. Regrettably, this first church at Amakwa could not survive because of certain misfortunes and misconceptions.
In 1908, with the arrival of a rival mission, the Roman Catholic Mission, many converts then switched over to RCM. Thereafter, the CMS Church at Amakwa folded up while the residue faithful converts returned to St. Matthew’s Church at “Kalamimi” Egbema.
On January 1956, All Saints’ Anglican Church Amakwa Ozubulu was officially born again under the visionary leadership of Ven Dr. BCE Nwosu with clear and purposeful goal. Immediately, he successfully procured some plots of land from members of his kindred. The first Church teacher was Mr. Christopher Okafor (Now Rev.) from Umuonulu, while the first school teacher was Mr. Joel Odunukwe from Nnewichi Nnewi who was transferred after five months.
Between 1959 and 1961, All Saints’ Church Amakwa choir under the leadership of Mr. F.U Nwakile represented Ozubulu district at Onitsha Archdeaconry singing competition and took the 4th position in the 1960 edition.
On January 2, 1970, the new District of All Saints’ Church Amakwa Ozubulu was inaugurated by Late Rt. Rev. L.M Uzodike, the then Diocesan Bishop on the Niger. On 26th December, 1970 the foundation stone of the present Church building was laid but Rt. Rev. L.M.
The present Parish status became visible in 1991 as Rev. Enoch Ekpehichi came to assist the superintendent at St. Matthew’s Parish Egbema Ozubulu. In 1996 the parish status was granted by His lordship Rt. Rev. G.I.N Okpala then Bishop of Nnewi Diocese.
The dedication of All Saints’ Amakwa Church building was performed by Rev. Dr. G.I.
Other Planted Churches
This Church was planted in May 2008, during the period of Rev. R.N Obikobe (Now Ven) with Mr. Muodilim (Now Rev) as the first Church Teacher. The Holy Trinity Church building was dedicated on 29th September, 2012 by His lordship, Rt. Revd. Prof G.I.N Okpala, the then Bishop of Diocese of Nnewi, while the vicarage building was dedicated in 2020 by His lordship, Rt. Red. Ndubuisi Obi the Bishop of Nnewi Diocese. The Church was granted Parish status on Jan. 2.
This Church was planted on 1st May 2022 during the period of Rev KC. Nzewi (Now Canon) with Evang. Nwabueze Dike (Now Church teacher) as the first Church worker / Missioner.
This Church was co-planted with HolyTrinity Church Amakwa Ozubulu on 31st July 222 during the period of Rev KC. Nzewi (Now Canon) of All Saints Amakwa and Rev Christian Okafor (Now Canon) of Holy Trinity Amakwa. The first Church worker of this Church which is directly under Holy Trinity Amakwa was Evang.
This Chapel was planted on 13th Nov, 2022 during the period of Rev. Cannon KC Nzewi, with Pst. Uzochukwu Udeaja as the first Church Teacher. In 2022, 9 girls were baptized, 12 received confirmation and 4 admitted into LGUF.
This Church was planted on 30th July 2023 during the period of Rev. Cannon KC, Nzewi with Evang. Paul Ekwueozor as the first Church worker.
In All Saints Amakwa Parish Council held in Dec 2023, it was resolved to start up Morning Prayers at Okwutu Amakwa Ozubulu. With the arrival postulants from Paul’s Institute of Theology Awka for college mission, the Morning Prayers kick started on Mon, 12th Feb 2024 at the Okwutu village hall.
All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha
All Saints Anglican Cathedral at Onitsha is the seat of the Anglican Diocese on the Niger. The design of the main building is largely rectangular in structure with semi-parabolic arches constructed from concrete and ironstone. The first building to be completed was the Lady Chapel in 1952 and consecrated by Leslie Vining. The other structures built included a rectangular transeptal tower oblong in shape, a nave of four bays and a narthex porch.
Planning of the cathedral began in 1946 after World War II, a site was chosen overlooking the Niger River and close to the river market in the city.
All Saints Church, Abayi Umuocham
This Church named after All the Saints, originated out of the evangelical initiative of three oil traders from Opopo-Joseph Cookey, Gabrial Coookey and Zedekiah Cookeys. These men sailed up the Abs- Azumini River in 1896 for their trading and also for planting of Christian Region.
In 1897, they negotiated with Abayi and Umuocham people for land establish their oil business at two beaches, which they built at Abayi waterside and Umuocham waterside. They traded oil producers from Ngwa the life, the word they preach, the religious cum trade relationship that transpired, the cookeys converted the Abayi and Umuocham people to Christianity.
This led to the planting of two congregation one at Abayi waterside and the other at Umuocham dedicated by Bishop Johnson, the Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Western Equatorial Africa (1900-1917). The earlier converts from Abayi and umuocham attended service at St. Ambrose, Abayi Waterside Until1905 when they set up their own Church -shade at Abayi and Umuocham respectively.
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