St. James’ church marks 100 years

By Adekola Afolabi
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Members of the Anglican Communion in Owo Diocese have gathered to mark St James’ Day with a celebration of One Hundred Years of the establishment of the 1st Church in Owo, St. James’ Anglican Church, Isaipen, Owo.

The Centenary Thanksgiving Service was attended by dignitaries from all walks of life including the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN who is also the Chancellor of the Diocese.

The dignitaries also included the Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde with his wife; the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adekola Olawoye; a full-time member of SUBEB, Princess Olufunmilayo Brown-Ademulegun;  Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo and the House of Assembly member-elect for Owo Constituency II, Dr Adeyemi Olayemi; Alani of Idoani, Oba Olufemi Olutoye, among others.

In his sermon, the Diocesan Bishop of Owo, the Rt. Rev. (Dr) Stephen Fagbemi, gave glory to God for the progress of the church so far since 1900 when it was established, just as he admonished christians to always see Jesus as their hope and surrender their lives unto him alone.

He applauded the sterling roles of the Akeredolu family for its unparalleled footprints in the historical development of Christianity in Owo community and its environs.

Rt. Revd. Fagbemi explained that the grandfather of the State Governor who was the first Lay Reader of the Church initiated evangelism in Owo Community and its environs through St James’ Anglican Church, Owo.

According to the Bishop, the Governor’s father who also became a priest in the Church equally did a lot to spread the Gospel of Christ in Owo which today is a Diocese and now has Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as a Chancellor.

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, rejoiced with the congregation and all the leaders for their commitment to the development of the church, promising his continued support to further develop the church.

He also extolled the virtues of his Late grandfather, describing him the as a strong believer who was also committed to the work of God and the overall development of the church.

According to the governor, his grandfather died as a soldier of Christ, saying he (Akeredolu) was a beneficiary of his grandfather’s prayers when he was alive.