A HISTORY OF ST THOMAS'S ANGLICAN CHURCH, ILUTITUN ETIKAN
Additionally, the influx of Penticostal Churches into Etikanland in recent years, with their aggressive membership drive, and the proliferation of White garment Churches in the area, created some suspicion and challenges that warranted the Church to stand firm. As the only othodox Church in the area, there was the need to introduce improved dimensions to intensity its evangelical strategies on winning young souls and protecting the future of the Church. In the quest not to remain stagnant, the idea of planting a new church was conceived. Historically, St Thomas's Anglican Church, Ilutitun Etikan, the first child of St Luke's Anglican Church, Ode- Etikan started as a house fellowship.
The Church was founded on August 7, 2017, when Revd Canon Johnson Ayodeji Fakowajo (now Venerable), Vicar, St Luke's Anglican Church, Ode-Etikan led a group of worshippers from the Mother Church to Ilutitun-Etikan for a house fellowship, at Chief Taiwo Stephen Kalejaye, (AKA Perere), the Alatunse Ijo of St Luke's Anglican, Church, Ode-Etikan. Thirty Eight (38) members attended the service, while the sum of three thousand five hundred and Eighty Naira (#3580) was realised as offerings.
The mission as mentioned earlier, was to fulfill the decision of the Parish Church Council (PCC) of St Luke's Anglican, Church, Ode- Etikan, on planting new Churches in Etikan metropolis, to enlarge the coast of the Archdeaconry. This vision was championed by Canon Samuel Oluwaponmile (now Venerable), the former Vicar of St Luke's Anglican Church, Ode - Etikan, in the first instance. It received the support of Bishop Fredrick Idowu Olugbemi, Pioneer Bishop, Diocese of Ilaje. But, the vision was not achieved by the proponent of the idea owing to complaints of lack of personnel, financial wastage and overburdening the mother Church. These challenges affected the consolidation of the Church. However, inspired the take off of the proposed Church at Araromi Sea-side, inspite of the huge financial resources that was committed to it.
These hiccups staggered membership attendance and almost frustrated the take off and growth of the new Church. Nonetheless, one spectacular idea that assisted the growth of St. Thomas's Church was the resolution of Parish Church Council (PCC) of St Luke's Church, Ode -Etikan that members who are resident at Ago Ijebu settlement, or have their houses at the new Community, or maybe close to it, should worship and nurture the new Church. This resolution again, almost affected individuals in double financial commitments were it not for Godly understanding. Abreast of the gospel truth that carring His cross was not an easy thing, and that the Kingdom of God was not bread and butter, the membership of the new church adhered to the resolution and shouldered the responsibilities.
The names of the volunteers who were founding members of the Church were:
1.Revd Canon Johnson Ayodeji Fakowajo
2.Chief Taiwo Stephen Kalejaye, the Alatunse Ijo, St Luke's Anglican Church, Ode- Etikan.
3. Chief Adegbenro Ogundeji
4. Chief Johnson Abitene Ajimisan
5. Prince Omodara Japhet Okunomo
6. Mrs Iyabo Okunomo
7. Mr Soji Eniola
8. Bro Daniel Kalejaye
9.. Bro Oluwadunminu Ajimisan
There were other members, whose names are on record, but too numerous to mention, that attended the inaugural worship.
Although, the task looked heavy on the volunteers at first. It nonetheless relieved them of cost and stress of attending the Mother Church. St Thomas's Church is closer to houses at the Expressway, and members at Ago Ijebu. Ago Ijebu is an old settlement in the area, named after the Ijebu petty traders that migrated from Ejirin, Omu, Ode-Omi, Epe and other parts of Ijebu land around 1920s for farming and swamp fishing expendition at Etikanland.
The clemency and expanse of land at Ago Ijebu contributed to the planting of St Thomas's Church at Ilutitun-Etikan Community, making it close to such members. The Church also enjoyed been close to Araromi - Olokonla LNG/free Trade Zone Expressway, and had better advantages for future expansion
Subsequently, the Church was named St. Thomas's Anglican Church, Ilutitun- Etikan by the Rt. Revd Fredrick Idowu Olugbemi, Pioneer Bishop, Diocese of Ilaje on 3rd July, 2021.
Presented here in is the list of Past and Present ministers of God.
1. Rev Ayodeji Dauda Ajayi (2019- 2020)
2. Revd Emmanuel Ojo Ogidan (Late) 2020-2022
3. Evang. Elisha Bamigbe Asogbon ( 2022 till date
The following persons has served as Peoples Warden:
1. Mrs Funmileyi Ajimisan (2018-2023)
2. Mrs Damilola Eniola (2024 till date)
The following Youth had at one time or the other assisted in organizing service at the Church.
1. Evan. Olatunji Sam Okunomo ( now Apostle)
2. Bro Olorunjeda Jonah
3. Bro Omodara Japhet Okunomo
It suffices to state that the Church building foundation of St. Thomas Anglican Church, Ilutitun-Etikan was laid on January 23, 2019 by Rt. Revd. Fredrick Idowu Olugbemi, assisted by Revd. Canon Salvation James Obazuaye (now Venerable), Supervisor, Etikan Archdeaconry and Revd Dauda Mathew Ajayi (now Revd Canon), Vicar of the Church.
The underlisted individuals contributed and assisted the Church growth.
1. Prince Kenneth Omobulejo Okunomo
2. Chief Segun Imperial Okunomo, the Majekobaje Okunrin of St Luke's Anglican Church, Ode-Etikan, donated two plots of land for the Church, with financial suppports and a house for temporary take off of the Church Vicarage (2019-2022)
3. Hon Prince Segun Odolo
4. Prince Monday Bola Okunomo (Chairman, building Committee)
5. All Chiefs of St Luke's Anglican Church, Ode-Etikan.
6. Prince Stephen Ola Ajimisan, who paid the first Church assessment for year 2022.
7. Chief Adebayo Japheth Okunomo
8. Mrs Elifida Jonah
9. The Rt Revd Fredrick Idowu Olugbemi (Pioneer Bishop)
10. The Rt Revd Dr Isaac Adeyemi Adeniji ( 2nd Diocesan Bishop)
11. Ven Nelson Omojebine Okunomo
12. Builder Ilesanmi Williams Ogungbamila
13. Prince Johnson Bamidele Ajimisan, who donated another house for temporary use as Vicarage
14. Evang Olatunji Sam. Okunomo
15. Engr Emmanuel Ayomikun Temituro
16. Arch Tomoloju Alex Okunomo and brother, that did the archtectural design of the Church
17 Mrs Adesola F Ajimisan
18. Barr Olanuyonu Okunomo
By the grace of God, the Church is matching on and its population has continued to burgeon exceedingly.
Made available by; Centre for the Propagation of Ilaje-Etikan History, Oba Olikan's Palace, Etikan Kingdom.
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