The First African Church Mission
(Est. 1891)
Mission Headquarters
JEHOVAH SHALOM CATHEDRAL,
5-9 Phoenix Lane, off Broad Street Tinubu, Lagos - Nigria.
JEHOVAH SHALOM CATHEDRAL,
5-9 Phoenix Lane, off Broad Street Tinubu, Lagos - Nigria.
…was founded in Nigeria, on 14th August 1891 by nine prominent Africans of blessed memory; which include: W. E Cole (Convener), John O. George, G. A. Williams, N. T. Nelson, D. T. Gloucester, J. A. Thompson, R. Chase-Leigh, J. B. Kenny and Rev. C. W. Cole (1st Clergyman/1st President of the Church).
The Primate and Proprietor of The FACM Schools
PRIMATE’S OFFICE:
3RD FLOOR
JEHOVAH SHALOM CATHEDRAL,
5-9 Phoenix Lane, off Broad Street Tinubu, Lagos.
TEL:08068420448
Headquarters: Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Odi-Olowo, Mushin – Lagos.
Diocesan: His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Mathias B. Jaja JP
Lay Vice: Elder Otunba S. O. Taiwo DOM
Headquarters:
Jehovah Shammah Cathedral, Iju-Ishaga, Lagos.
Diocesan:
His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. O. Christian John
Lay Vice: Brother Amos Ajibade
Headquarters:
St. George’s Cathedral, Ipaja, Lagos.
Diocesan:
His Lordship, Rt. Rev. M. O. A. Dare JP
Lay Vice: Bro. Survyor Olukayode Maborukoje JP
Headquarters:
Ebenezer Cathedral, Ifo, Ogun State.
Diocesan:
His Lordship, Rt. Rev. O. A. A. Ola JP
Lay Vice:
Headquarters:
St. Peter’s Cathedral, Ijebu – Ode.
Diocesan:
His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. P. A. Onanuga J
Lay Vice:
Elder Chief S. O. Omotayo
Headquarters:
Ebenezer Cathedral, Okitipupa
Diocesan:
His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Engr. M. A. Adeyemi
Lay Vice: Bro. Chief Oduwole S. M. E.
The First African Church Mission was founded in Nigeria, on 14th August 1891 by nine prominent Africans of blessed memory – known as the Immortal Nine. They summarized their motives in the following Memorable Quote: “That this meeting in humble dependence upon Almighty God is of the opinion that Africa is to be evangelized and that the foreign agencies at work at the present moment, taking into consideration climatic and other influences, cannot grasp the situation, resolved that a purely Native African Church be founded for the evangelization and amelioration of the African race, to be governed by Africans”.
Upon the establishment of the Church on September 10, 1891, the founding fathers chose the name UNITED NATIVE AFRICAN CHURCH (UNA) because of the prevailing circumstances and ‘the foreign agencies at work’! The name suited the period and its explanation is not far-fetched from the notice; which led them to found and established a truly African Church, to be governed by Africans that were in the politics of the day. They wanted to unite at all costs against the forces of foreign domination, against the imposition of foreign cultures and against anything that can further enslave them and make them degenerate into worthless beings; which was an insult to their ego.
Another word that needed examination ‘Native’ as of that time was something local, indigenous, and belonging. The two words United and Native as the years progressed were regarded as outdated by men of this generation, particularly Native; which was a word used by the Europeans to segregate the Africans and it has a bad and ominous flavor. Therefore, at Port Harcourt conference of the Church in 1984, it was moved, seconded and unanimously adopted that the so called Native thing should be modernized and dry cleaned of any derogatory tendency, and renamed: The First African Church Mission. The said motion was moved at 4.00pm on 11th September, 1984.
It is important to note that the founding of The First African Church Mission was not without stiff opposition from the Europeans. The founders were taken to Court by the White missionaries, for clapping and worshipping God with drums; which the Whites tagged as ‘ungodly’. However, the Church was victorious in Court citing Psalm 150 as their defense.
