All roads lead to the Cathedral Church of St Gabriel, Umueri tomorrow, Sunday, 13th November 2022 for the one-hundred-and-twelfth anniversary celebration of the church. One cannot talk of the celebration without talking about the history of the church and Christianity in Umueri.
Gospel was brought to Umueri by Mr. Omatalum Charles Adintu from Umueri. He was among those who were rescued by the British from slave raiders and taken to Sierra Leone where they converted to Christianity. In 1900, he led other freed slaves to evangelize Umueri. The first mission met several obstacles and failed. Undaunted, they returned and made over thirty early converts.
The first Church, Immanuel C.M.S, Umueri, was planted in 1904. The coming of Christianity battled and ended many obstinate practices including the killing of twins.
As the gospel progressed and more converts won, membership extended to Otu-Oche (now Otuocha), Igboezunu in Aguleri and Nando. This necessitated the relocation of Immanuel Church in Umuatolu, Umueri to its present location. From there, the gospel spread to Umunya, Awkuzu, Nando, Ayamelum, Igbariam, Ogbunike and Nteje.
The second Anglican Church was St. Gabriel’s Anglican Church, Otuocha, now known as the Cathedral Church of St. Gabriel, Umueri. It started when missionaries from Onitsha sailed through the River Niger en route Omambala River and arrived Otuocha in 1910. They settled at the present Ovu-akwu Primary School, Umueri where many converts assembled to be tutored by the missionary in both academics and church activities and many accepted Christianity and submitted themselves for baptism.
Some of the early converts were: Josiah Jideani, Ebenezer Dumaka, Mathias Nwambu, Igbonasi Udah, Christopher Areh, Dominic Igbokwe, Edward Emeka, Abel Edochie, Jonah Nwabia, and Simon Amutigwe. Mr. James Mebo of Mmiata Anam was among those that brought the C.M.S to Otuocha in 1910.
In 1912, the first Church building of St Gabriel made of mud and raffia roof was constructed. A new church building was built in 1940 with block and corrugated aluminum roof. It was destroyed in 1969 during the Nigeria/Biafra war. Between 1972-1986, some of the faithful, again, rebuilt the Church in the present Cathedral Hall and completed it in 1990. The new church was again destroyed during the two major inter-communal crises in the area between 1995 and 2001. After the crisis, the then Bishop on the Niger, Right Reverend Ken Sandy Okeke encouraged the people of Umueri to rebuild a place of worship to enable them secure total freedom in Christ. They responded, made donations and in 2004, Bishop Okeke laid the foundation stone of the new St. Gabriel’s Church building.
On 30th April 2006, Sir Benneth Izuchukwu Emeka now His Royal Majesty who was labeled “the King Solomon of Anambra East” took over the construction of the church after he said he received a divine message from the Lord to complete the church. Him and his wife, Chinwe embraced the challenge and under six months set up a magnificent edifice.
Following this new development, Bishop Okeke during a one-day Synod of the Diocese pronounced Umueri as a new Archdeaconry with St. Gabriel’s Church as the headquarters. The new Archdeaconry covered the whole of Umueri, Aguleri, Nando,Nsugbe, Igbariam, and Umuoba-Anam. This new status inspired Igwe Ben and his wife to make the Church a spectacular piece of architecture and a centre of excellence for the people of Anambra East and environs as they equipped the Church with best possible furniture before the dedication. The Church building was completed on 24th November, 2007 and dedicated by Right Reverend Ken Sandy Okeke.
On 9th June, 2008, the newly created Missionary Diocese of Niger West was inaugurated as the 138th Diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) by His Grace, Most Reverend Peter Jasper Akinola, the then Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria and the church since then became Cathedral Church of St Gabriel, Umueri. The church has produced over nine indigenous priests. In its his history, many senior priests and church workers have served in the church before the present Vicar and Sub-Dean of the cathedral, Ven. Akachukwu Ikedilo and his wife, Blessing.
The light of the gospel has continued to shine through the ages till this day born by many patriarchs and heroes of the faith in the community. As such, we will gather tomorrow to bear witness to this light and appreciate the works of faith of these saints living or departed. To God be the glory!
Written by NJIDEKA OKOYE
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