One of the strongest pillar’s of the Diocese of Awori(Anglican Communion) St Timothy Anglican Church Sango ota has celebrated its 50th founders day anniversary.
At the event which was highly attended and very successful, was presentation of award’s to some of the most dedicated members of the church both post humously and to those alive,some of the awardees includes Rt.Rev’d Dr.Johnson Akin Atere who was a former vicar of the church and now the Lord bishop of the Diocese of Awori of the Anglican Communion, the present vicar’s warden Mr Olorunfemi Olaitan Ogunlote,Mr Timothy Aduramo Adeogun (who incidentally was a foundation member of the church) Mrs Roseline Oluwatosin Adeogun and so many others too numerous to mention.
The highpoint of the celebration was the announcement of an upgrade of the church from a zonal headquarters to an archdeaconry by the Lord bishop of the Awori diocese the Rt.Revd Dr.Johnson Akin Atere,which came as a huge surprise to the parishioner’s and the guest present.
Going down memory lane, a brief history of the church was reeled out as follows, St Timothy’s Anglican Church Sango ota came into existence on 22nd January,1967 as a satellite church of the St James Anglican Church, Ipate-Oyinbo,Ota.
The church was established in Sango Ota Axis as a relief to the members of the Anglican Communion living in the area as a result of their desire to plant church closer to their homes, and having discovered that if urgent actions were not taken to establish a satellite church in Sango ,the Anglican Communion in ota might lose members in the fast developing area to other churches around.
The vicar of St James Anglican Church Ota, Revd James Adeyemi Ojo, who most of his parishioner’s knew as Jas Ade Ojo, held a meeting with the communion members from Sango Ota led by late Pa Isaiah Oni-Ogbevah who later became the church first Baba Ijo where a decision was taken to have the Sango Ota branch of the Anglican Church.
History was made on 22nd January,1967 when the first service of the new Sango Anglican Church was held at Ota District council primary school, Sango Ota with Revd Adeyemi Ojo officiating.
Record has it that attendance at the first service, which included the invitees from St James Anglican Church Ota (the mother church) was 103( one hundred and three and £2:7p(N5:40k in naira equivalent) was collected as offering, The theme of the sermon was taken from the book of Zechariah chapter 4 verse 10.
However subsequent services were later shifted to the late Pa. Isaiah Oni-Ugbevah’s house in Sango Ota due to the objection of the district school authority to the use of the school.
When members were thrown out of the ODC school, they informed the then late Olota of Ota His Royal Highness Oba Timothy T.Dada who gave the members the present site of the church free of charge.
Thereafter the church gladly named the new church after him,hence St Timothy’s.
St Timothy’s Anglican Church has so far initiated the planting of over 17 new Anglican Churches as a result of growth and the location of its members.
In the goodwill message delivered by the vicar of the church,The Rev’d Canon Emmanuel Olawale Adekoya,JP he said “Today as we look back and consider the faithfulness of God thus far upon this church, we can’t but remember and copiously appreciate the effort and labour of love,sacrifice and devotion of the past church father’s and priests who in their different capacities and generations had contributed numerously,extensively to the growth and development of this church right from the foundation laying
We are grateful for being counted worthy in making contributions on the great work and solid foundation you started years back.
Continuing,he said as we celebrate God’s faithfulness today at the 50th anniversary of the establishment of this church, I consider it a rare privilege to have enjoyed the unalloyed loyalty, cooperation and support of my curates,Revd Sunday Babalola and wife and Revd Segun odukoya and wife,Revd Bode Oladimeji and Revd Bayode Ogbebor.
Lastly,he said more to be appreciated is the perfect cordial relationship and support of my parish Church council members, my ever committed,honest,loyal and dedicated wardens Mr O.O.Ogunlote and Mr S.K.Ojediran,my humble and loyal vergers,Mr Richard Águ and Mr Tunde Oyeleye,my very honest and reliable maintenance officer Mr Samson Elijah, all the societies in the church for your consistent and sacrificial support, the lay readers, the guild of Stewards,the children Sunday school teachers, the choir/choirmaster/organist,the technical crew,my dependable Altar servers, the harvest committee, Christian mother’s, Boy’s and girl’s brigade, the medical team,red Cross, EFAC,my office staff,my Sexton, my ever glorious, charismatic chapel youth,my special and specially loved “Olorun Koseunti-God of possibilities” members and the entire Saint Timothians,Sango Ota- you all made me proud and I have written my history around you all!
