Our History

Brief History of the Catholic Church of Assumption, Igbo-ELERIN

The Catholic Church of Assumption Igbo-Elerin was founded on the 15th of August, 1999 on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It started as a small gathering of devoted Catholics who sought a place of worship and community activities.

With the approval of the Late Rev. Fr Joseph Nwanua, the then Parish Priest of St. Augustine Catholic Church Iba, under which the Catholic Church of Assumption, Igbo-Elerin was outstation, members of the Legionaries cleared the temporary site donated by Engr. Stephen Olu Akinwole constructed makeshift shelters using palm fronds and sticks. The first Mass was celebrated on August 15, 1999, by the late Rev. Father Joseph Nwanua, with choristers from St. Augustine in attendance. Father Nwanua encouraged the faithful to help the Church grow and appointed Mr. Emmanuel Odoh as the service leader. The first harvest was celebrated within a month, and a team of caretakers and organizing committee members were appointed.

The land was initially donated for four years, later extended to five years, before six plots were eventually acquired. The official opening brought evangelization closer to the predominantly Muslim communities of Agboroko/Igbo-Elerin, with a congregation of 70 worshippers initially meeting under a canopy. Early challenges included inaccessible terrain and waterlogged paths, which hindered the pace of evangelization. As more Christian groups moved into Agboroko/Igbo-Elerin, the number of worshippers increased significantly, necessitating a larger worship space. 

Sequel to the transfer of the Late Rev. Fr. Nwanua, Rev Fr Pius Omofuma took over and nurtured the assumption to an enviable height, at the end of his tenure. It was during the tenure of Rev. Fr. Michael Kendra Etegene with his exemplary pastoral leadership that Assumption parish became a quasi-parish on the 29th of October, 1999 when Rev. Fr. Leon Houessou resumed as the first Priest-in-Charge till date.