Christian mission history in Ibadan is closely linked to the arrival of the Church Missionary Society in the early 1850s. In 1853, C.M.S. missionaries entered Ibadan and established their earliest sustained presence at Kudeti. This area became the first known mission settlement within the city and served as the foundation for organised Christian activity.
From this early base, Anglican mission work gradually expanded. St David’s Church, Kudeti emerged as a central institution in the life of the early Christian community. Over time, it became one of the most prominent Anglican churches in Ibadan, playing a leading role in coordinating church life as Christianity gained wider acceptance.
Early baptisms and the growth of a Christian community
Among the earliest recorded Christian events in Ibadan is a baptismal service held in 1855. Five converts were baptised, consisting of two women, two young men, and an elderly man. The ceremony was publicly distinctive, as the converts wore white garments instead of the customary blue cloth, marking their new religious identity.
This event marked a turning point. Christianity in Ibadan was no longer limited to missionary presence alone but had begun to attract local adherents. The formation of this early group signalled the start of a locally rooted Christian community within the city.
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Teaching, worship, and religious instruction
Alongside baptism and worship services, religious instruction became a key feature of early Christian life in Ibadan. By the mid 1850s, Sunday school activities were firmly established, with adult attendance numbering several dozen participants. These sessions focused on reading, biblical instruction, and catechism.
Education and instruction played a vital role in sustaining early interest in Christianity. Regular teaching helped transform individual conversions into an organised religious community, laying the groundwork for the long term presence of churches and congregations.
Expansion beyond Anglican foundations
As Ibadan continued to grow as a major urban centre, it attracted additional Protestant missions. By the late nineteenth century, the city had become a destination for different Christian denominations seeking to establish congregations and expand their influence.
This expansion reflected Ibadan’s rising importance in trade, politics, and population. The presence of multiple denominations contributed to a diverse Christian environment, each bringing its own traditions, worship styles, and organisational structures.
Methodist mission work in Ibadan
Methodist mission activity in Ibadan began in the late 1880s. By 1891, the Methodist mission had become firmly established under the leadership of Rev. C. B. Macauley. This period marked the consolidation of Methodist work in the city, following earlier contact and evangelistic efforts.
Methodist congregations gradually expanded across Ibadan, strengthening the city’s Christian landscape and introducing new patterns of worship and church organisation that complemented existing Anglican structures.
Baptist arrival and growth from Idikan
The Baptist mission reached Ibadan in 1906 with the establishment of a congregation at Idikan. This marked the beginning of Baptist work in the city and was closely associated with Chief Denrele Adetimkan Obasa, who played a significant role in its early development.
From Idikan, Baptist churches spread to other parts of Ibadan. Baptist emphasis on congregational life, church discipline, and organised membership contributed to the growing diversity of Christian expression in the city.
The Salvation Army in Ibadan
In 1921, the Salvation Army established a presence in Ibadan. Its arrival added another dimension to Protestant Christianity in the city, further expanding the range of Christian organisations active in religious and social life.
The Salvation Army’s work became part of the broader pattern of early twentieth century mission activity that strengthened Ibadan’s position as a centre of Christian influence.
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Seventh Day Adventists and administrative growth
Seventh Day Adventist activity connected to Ibadan developed significantly in the mid 1920s. In 1926, Adventist administrative organisation relating to the region reached a new stage, followed by the relocation of regional headquarters to Ibadan in 1927.
This development confirmed Ibadan’s growing importance not only as a mission field but also as a centre for church administration and coordination in southwestern Nigeria.
Lasting impact on Ibadan
From the first mission settlement at Kudeti to the arrival of multiple Protestant denominations, Christianity became firmly woven into Ibadan’s social and religious fabric. Early baptisms, structured teaching, and the steady growth of churches transformed Christianity from a small mission effort into a lasting presence.
By the early twentieth century, Ibadan had become home to Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Salvation Army, and Seventh Day Adventist communities. These institutions influenced education, worship, and public life, shaping the city’s identity in enduring ways.
Author’s Note
Ibadan’s Christian history began at Kudeti with a small mission presence and grew through baptisms, teaching, and the steady arrival of new denominations, creating a city where multiple Protestant traditions took root and shaped religious life for generations.
References
Seventeen Years in the Yoruba Country, Memorials of Anna Hinderer
Dictionary of African Christian Biography, David Hinderer
Seventh Day Adventist Encyclopedia, Oyo Conference History
