St. John’s Anglican Church, Itaja/Amuzu, in Olokoro, Diocese of Umuahia, Anglican Communion, has celebrated its centenary with a thanksgiving service and the dedication of its new church building, vicarage, choir stall and band.

The historic celebration took place on Sunday, September 6, 2026, and also featured the confirmation and admission of new members into various church organisations.

The service attracted dignitaries, clergy, government officials, community leaders, parishioners and worshippers, including the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, who represented Governor Alex Otti.

Other dignitaries at the event included Rt. Hon. Obi Aguocha, member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency in the National Assembly and Chairman of the occasion; Rt. Hon. Augustine Okezie Meregini, Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly; Dr Emmanuel Meribole, Secretary to the State Government; members of the State House of Assembly, commissioners and other government officials.

Delivering the Governor’s goodwill message, Emetu congratulated the Diocese of Umuahia, clergy, leadership and entire congregation of St. John’s Anglican Church on the milestone.

He described the attainment of 100 years as a significant achievement, reflecting the faith, sacrifice, unity and perseverance of generations of Christians who contributed to the growth and development of the church.

“Reaching a hundred years is no small feat. It stands as a testament to the faith, sacrifice, unity and perseverance of countless generations,” Emetu said.

The Deputy Governor said the new church auditorium and vicarage were symbols of the congregation’s commitment to the Christian faith.

He prayed that the auditorium would remain a place where souls are saved, lives are transformed and people find solace, while the vicarage would serve as a place of peace and strength for the clergy responsible for shepherding the congregation.

According to Emetu, the Abia State Government recognises the important role of the church in shaping moral values, promoting peace, supporting education and contributing to community development.

“While the government focuses on building infrastructure, the church nurtures the character and spirit of our society,” he said.

He assured that the state government would continue to partner with faith-based organisations and other stakeholders in building a peaceful, prosperous and united Abia.

Emetu also commended the Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr Geoffrey Obijuru Ibeabuchi, the clergy, church leadership, parishioners and members of the building committee for the successful completion of the projects.

He urged the congregation to remain committed to sustaining what he described as the progress recorded under the present administration.

Speaking on the forthcoming elections, the Deputy Governor urged the congregation to participate actively in the electoral process and exercise their civic responsibilities.

Earlier, Sir Ken Nwosu, Chief Security Officer, Abia State Government House and a member of the church, welcomed Emetu and other invited dignitaries to the occasion.

Nwosu expressed appreciation to the guests and parishioners for honouring the invitation and contributing to the success of the centenary celebration.

The service proceeded with readings from the Holy Scriptures. The first Bible reading was taken from Leviticus 19:33-37, while the second reading was from Acts 8:14-25.

The readings preceded the sermon delivered by the Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr Geoffrey Obijuru Ibeabuchi.

Bishop Charges Christians to Remain Steadfast

In his sermon, Bishop Ibeabuchi charged Christians to remain steadfast in their faith and committed to the service of God.

Taking his central text from 1 Corinthians 15:58, the Bishop emphasised the eternal value of Christian service and urged believers to remain firm in their faith.

He said the passage represented a practical conclusion to Apostle Paul’s teaching on the resurrection of Christ, urging believers not to be influenced by cultural pressures, hardship or spiritual doubt.

The Bishop warned against what he described as an emerging generation that questions the need to serve God, live righteously and uphold moral standards.

He challenged parents, church leaders and Christians to lay a strong spiritual foundation for younger generations, stressing the need for the church to prepare future generations to understand not only what they should do for God but also why they should remain committed to Him.

Bishop Ibeabuchi further reminded the congregation that their labour, sacrifices, giving and service to God would not be in vain.

He urged Christians not to allow religious activities to replace a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ, stressing the importance of repentance, salvation and spiritual transformation.

The Bishop also encouraged the congregation to live with eternity in view, warning that worldly achievements without a relationship with God ultimately amount to vanity.

He urged Christians to remain steadfast and “immovable,” noting that stability in faith should translate into stability in action.

Bishop Ibeabuchi also used the occasion to appreciate the contributions and sacrifices of previous generations, particularly those who helped develop the church and its facilities over the years.

He described the new building as part of a long history of growth, setbacks, recovery and continued commitment to the work of God.

Following the sermon, prayers were offered for the dedication of the church building, choir stall and band, with Bishop Ibeabuchi leading the dedication rites.

The service also featured the confirmation and admission of new members into various church organisations, including the Mothers’ Union, Women’s Guild, Girls’ Guild, Christian Fellowship and Anglican Youth Fellowship.

Rt. Hon. Obi Aguocha, Chairman of the occasion, expressed appreciation to the dignitaries, clergy, parishioners and guests who honoured his invitation and contributed to the success of the celebration.

The centenary service provided an opportunity for the congregation to reflect on the history and contributions of previous generations while dedicating the new facilities to the service of God and the future growth of the church.