St Peter's Anglican Church is the Mother Church that gave birth to the other 4 Churches in Abagana.

Abagana is a suburban town in Anambra State of Nigeria located between mile thirteen (13) and mile sixteen (16) along old Onitsha-Enugu trunk A road, and also extends to Onitsha-Enugu Express way. It shares boundaries with eight towns: Abba, Ukpo and Enugwu-Agidi in the north; Nimo and Eziowelle in the south, Enugwu-ukwu in the east and Umunnachi and Ifitedunu in the west.

Abagana was the headquarters of the colonial Njikoka Local County Council Area and currently the headquarters of Njikoka Local Government Area. The town is made up of nine (9) villages. It is for this reason that it is popularly referred to as “Abagana Ebo teghete” The people of Abagana live peacefully in the villages with strangers who are either working in Government offices or doing private business.

The incumbent Traditional Ruler of the town is His Majesty Igwe Sir Patrick Mbamalu Okeke (J.P, KSJI) who lives in his palace at Akpu Village Abagana. He celebrates his Ofala Festival (Installation Anniversary) on the last Saturday of December every year.

Before the advent of Christianity, the indigenous people of Abagana practiced Traditional African Religion. They believe in the supreme God whom they named Chukwu, Chineke, Chukwu-okike, or Chi-ukwu. There were many gods and deities which they believed impacted their lives. These deities include Aro, Iyiazi, Ogwugwu, Onyeanisi, Udo, Ekwulomu, to name but a few. They were represented by carved effigies kept in their respective shrines. Till today, festivals are held in honour of each of them at an appointed date in a particular month of the year. The people also celebrated annually the “Ọnwa Asatọ” or Ịlọ Mụọ festival to usher in, the eating of new yam. This festival is celebrated today in most parts of Igbo land as “New Yam Festival” or “Iwa Ji Festival”.

The people also believe in the spirits of their ancestors and so carved wooden images to represent their ancestors and family gods which they usually kept in their Obi or any other suitable place in their compound where they were worshipped. Life was very insecure because of frequent internecine wars, slave trade, slavery, human sacrifice and land border conflicts between neighbouring communities.

The Church Missionary Society (C.M.S) arrived Onitsha in July 1857 and established their evangelical base there at Ozala. By the end of the 19th Century (i.e 43 years later) only a few missionary stations had been successfully established in the towns around Onitsha due to challenges such as poor communication, shortage of missionary workers, paucity of fund, resistance by warrant chiefs and illiteracy of the local people. But at the beginning of the 20th Century when the British Government representatives arrived, moved inwards from the coast, and militarily subdued the people and established colonial rule the stage was set for the missionaries to penetrate the hinterland. By the year 1904, CMS Churches had been established at Awka, Awkuzu, Nando and Achalla and efforts were being made to establish one at Abagana as the 5th church in Awka District before the end of that year. Nevertheless, the gospel did not come to Abagana until 1906 when the resistance of Abagana people to the gospel collapsed. Indeed the factors that moved Abagana people to embrace Christianity were more socio-economic than religious. Because the missionaries were more friendly than the Government and military personnel, the early converts followed them in order to be protected from extortions, forced labour, harassment and seizure of their properties (eg. goats, fowls, yams and even women) by the government administrative and military personnel.

In that situation some influential men (Ndi Nze na Ọzọ) from all quarters of Abagana assembled in the house of one Okonkwo Omasi of Akpu Abagana to discuss the issue of the missionaries vis-à-vis the security of the town. Among them were Okonkwo Omasi, Anaebo, Oligba, Iloana, Onochie, Ogbuodudu (Ilonze, the grandfather of Late Chief Angus Ilonze, the first Igwe of Abagana), Ajaegbo, Ezeude, of Enuora Orofia, Ezenwa Okpangani, Okeke Akudu, and Anaero Okumdi. They decided at the meeting to support the efforts of Mr. (later Rev. R.A. Llewellyn who came from CMS Mission Awka for the meeting.

In 1906 Archdeacon S.R. Smith sent Mr. David Agulefo of Ogidi as a teacher to open up the work of C.M.S Mission in Abagana. He was accompanied by James Nrabalu of Ogbunike, and Simon Okechukwu of Obosi, the father of Emeritus Venerable Henry L. Okechukwu. They preached from house to house to win converts at Abagana. Mr. Agulefo eventually doubled as the first church teacher and the first school teacher at Abagana.

At the initial stage, church services were held in Okonkwo Omasi's compound. But as the number of converts increased, a site for setting up a church building was located at Aroeziagu. The land was covered by a very thick forest regarded as evil forest where lepers and people who died of smallpox were dumped. That was the site where the present Christian cemetery is located. The Christians later abandoned this site and relocated to the present site of St. Peter's Church which is more central.

The first church building at St. Peter's was a rectangular house made of mud-block walls and thatched roof. The house was divided into three parts. The first partition was used for worship, the second for school, and the third as teacher's house. Openings were made in the walls to serve as windows. Only the windows where the teacher lived had shutters. Some years later, when it became necessary to erect a separate and large school building more land was acquired from both Akpu and Orofia villages, after negotiation with the affected families namely Nwobi Mmo, Ifeora Okoli, Ofoyili Agualusi, Iloanusi Achebe, Muofunanya and others.

The first converts of C.M.S Church, Abagana were Philip Aduaka, Samuel Okoye, Edward Okonkwo, Moses Aniebo, Jeremiah Agbanu, Abel Okeke, Israel Jideama, James Igboeli, Elizabeth Okonkwo, Margaret Igboeli, Margaret Chieyi, Jonathan Nwobi-Okoye among others.

They lived in three communal settlements in Abagana. One was located between Etiti Umudunu and Ofeozala and some of the converts who lived there were Mathias Okafor, Matthew Okafor, Obediah Okonkwo, Jonathan Nwobi-Okoye, Stephen Achusi and Lazarus Igbokwe. The second settlement was located between Eziube and Ofe-Nochi in Adagbe Umudunu and there lived David Anigbo, Peter Onyeabo, Joel Chidebelu, Joshua Odili, Paul Jideofor, Israel Jideama and Joseph Okam. The third settlement located between Adagbe Orofia and Akpu Abagana was occupied by Philip Aduaka, Samuel Okoye, Edward Okonkwo and Timothy Anakwue.

Living in settlements guaranteed the converts seclusion and freedom from molestation by the non-Christians and the opportunity to study together and assist each other in many ways such as farming, house construction etc.

The early converts experienced many challenges but remained undaunted. The first church building was burnt down on three separate occasions by the original land owners who had changed their minds and tried to recover their land. The Christians were determined not to give up and on each occasion reconstructed the church building. The enemies of the church also resorted to stealing various items from the church premises including the popular church bell which was heard from every part of the town when it tolled. The bell was stolen at night in spite of the fact that it was hung on a very tall belfry and was never found till today. Secondly, there was an epidemic of a disease that looked like smallpox which affected most members of the church though there were no deaths. Also there were incidents of many members falling from trees for example Moses Nwandu who fell from a palm tree.

With the gradual increase in the number of converts the house to house preaching by the church teacher was replaced with open-air preaching every Sunday – Eke, during the evening service. This measure significantly increased the number of converts. Sunday school was also introduced during which the converts were taught how to read the Igbo Bible and the book titled “Azu Ndu”. They were also to learn Our Lord's Prayer, the Creed, Commandments, Catechism and Church doctrine in preparation for Catechumen, Baptism and Confirmation as they progressed.

The first baptism of the early converts took place in 1907 and was performed by Rev. R.A Llewellyn. The following were baptized: Philip Aduaka, John Okonkwo, Moses Aniebo, Samuel Okoye, Jeremiah Agbanu, Janet Okolo, the mother of Mrs. Anigbo, all of blessed memory.

The first confirmation took place in 1911 during which Bishop Tugwell came from Lagos and confirmed the following Christians: Edward Okonkwo, Philip Aduaka, Moses Aniebo, Samuel Okoye, James Igboeli, Samuel Achusi, Abel Okeke, Jeremiah Agbanu, Jacob Obikwelu, John Okonkwo, Daniel Ajaegbo and Janet Okolo. The first Holy Communion was administered in 1911 by Archdeacon G.T. Basden. The first Christian wedding among the converts was that of Late Isaac Ezekwesili in 1916 at Nibo.

Nevertheless the church in 1930 suffered serious set back as two prominent members: Paul Okoye (Paul Faith) and Victor Okpata broke away from the church and founded their own churches. Paul Okoye founded Faith Tabernacle Church, while Victor Okpata founded the Salvation Army Church, Abagana. Victor left the C.M.S Church because his wife had only one child, (a girl) and the church was insistent on Monogamy. So he left to enable him marry another wife and get more children. Unfortunately their churches failed to survive and their members either returned to St. Peter's Church or joined other churches.

In the early years of Christianity in Igboland, the church and school moved together. This afforded the early Christians the opportunity to acquire formal education. The C.M.S Central School Abagana was among the earliest schools approved for Standard Six. Consequently, St. Peter's Church Abagana produced church and school teachers who took the gospel and education to various communities around Abagana and beyond. For example, Simon Ugokwe opened St. Mary's Church Ukpo, Isaac Ezekwesili opened Immanuel Church Enugwu-Ukwu, Jospeh Nzeako opened C.M.S Church Ifite-Ukpo (now Ifite Dunu), James Igboeli opened C.M.S Church Enugwu-Ezike; Jonathan Nwobi-Okoye opened C.M.S Church Enugwu-Achi. William Ezenwa opened C.M.S Church Ekwulobia etc. Many church teachers produced by St. Peter's Church Abagana taught in many churches and schools in Onitsha, Owerri and Benin Provinces.

After the former thatched church building was burnt down for the third time, the church members decided to set up a more solid and permanent building. They raised money by taxing themselves. From 1920, every Abagana teacher or civil servant contributed one full month's salary in August of every year. Home members contributed five (5) shillings in addition to voluntary manual work. Drivers and policemen paid ₤2.00 annually. This contribution was continued for six (6) years at the end of which work on the church building started in March 1928.

The building plan was provided by Archdeacon G.T. Basden who also supervised the work. Mr. Peter Okongwu was the mason while Mr. Matthew Ezenwa and Mr. Hezekiah Okoye were the carpenters. The building which measured 148ft x 44ft with stone-walls and corrugated roofing sheets was the first of its kind and most imposing building in the then Awka District.

The foundation stone was laid on 25th July 1933 by Bishop Lasbrey when the building (without the Belfry) was almost completed. The church building was dedicated in 1938. The building committee was made up of Ven. Dr. G.T. Basden, Rev. V. Umunna Nworah (Pastor and Superintendent of the District), Mr. W.O. Anaedozie (Catechist), Mr. Josiah Anigbo (Chairman), Mr. James Igboeli (Vice Chairman) Mr. Josiah Aniago (Secretary) and Mr. Isaac Ezekwesili (Treasurer).

With the completion and dedication of the Church in 1938, attention was directed towards building the church teacher's house. In 1943 the existing teacher's house was demolished and a bungalow befitting the church was built for the catechist. In 1958 the parsonage was erected on the church land opposite and across the main road. In 1959, St. Peter's Church was made a Parish with Rev. (late Bishop) Benjamin Nwankiti as the first ordained Priest.

The Parish was made up of the Anglican Churches in Abagana, Abba, Enugwu-Agidi, Enugwu-Ukwu, Ifite-Ukpo, Nawfia, Nimo, Nri, Ukpo and Ukwulu.

After the creation of Awka Diocese in 1987, Abagana Archdeaconry was created in 1989 by the Bishop, Rt. Rev. Maxwell S.C. Anikwenwa with St. Peter's Church Abagana as the headquarter. Anglican Churches in the following towns were in the Archdeaconry: Abagana, Abba, Enugwu-Agidi, Enugwu-Ukwu, Ifite-Ukpo (now Ifite Dunu), Nawfia, Nawgu, Nimo, Nri, Ukpo and Ukwulu. Ven. J.O.A. Emesi was the first Archdeacon. With the creation of new Archdeaconries only the Anglican Churches in Abagana, Abba and Nimo make up the present Abagana Archdeaconry.

St. Peter's Church Abagana being close to Enugu-Onitsha trunk A road suffered much damage during the Nigeria/Biafra war (1967–1970). Abagana town became part of the war zone. In 1968 when a Nigerian Army Division started advancing from Enugu through Awka and heading to Onitsha. All Abagana people living close to the major Enugu – Onitsha road deserted their homes and took refuge in other towns not accessible to the Nigerian soldiers. From Feb. 1968 to the end of the war in January 1970, nobody could worship in St. Peter's Church building.

Some of the members of St. Peter's Church who evacuated to Ofe-Nochi and a few people who had the courage to stay back in Ofenochi worshipped in the growing church at Udo-eke, which later became St. John's Church Abagana. The main column of the Army Division with more than forty (40) military vehicles heavily loaded with arms and ammunition, food stuff and military personnel and covering a distance of about two kilometers, from Ezi-Icheke to Oye-agu Abagana and beyond were completely destroyed by the Biafran soldiers. During the incident St. Peter's Church building suffered much damage and most of the valuable properities in the church were looted. The CMS Central School Abagana was also badly affected. Immediately after the war, the Vicar of St. Peter's Church Rev. D.I. Ezenwa quickly mobilized the Abagana Anglican Peoples Congress (AAPC) led by Sir E.C. Ezekwesili and the church building was reconstructed and repainted. Between 1974 and 1975 the AAPC also reconstructed the Parsonage. Under Late Mr. Erastus Okechukwu of Abagana as the headmaster, St. Peter's Central School was also reconstructed with assistance from A.A.P.C

Development Organs of the Church and Associated Organizations

From 1940, the General meeting of the church named “Home and Abroad Men and Women Meeting” took over the development projects of the church. In the early 1960's the meeting was renamed “Abagana Protestant Citizens” (APC) with Sir E.C Ezekwesili as the first President. In 1985 the name was changed to Abagana Anglican Peoples Congress (AAPC) because the people were no longer comfortable with the word 'protestant'. For many years, this body in spite of changes in name, planned and executed all the projects in the church. But later the birth of new churches seriously weakened the membership and financial muscle of St. Peter's Church because most members of the church moved and focused on the development of their respective village churches. The situation resembled that of an old man abandoned by his children. But in 2005, Ven. J.O.S. Edokwe, the Vicar of St. Peter's, a very energetic and experienced church administrator saw the need for a body that would unite all the Anglican Churches in Abagana. He therefore, summoned a joint meeting of the P.C.C members of all the five churches in Abagana on August 19, 2005. He told them the need to unite under a common body so as to be able to carry out common church projects such as the Centenary Anniversary Celebration, the Synod, Diocesan Women's Conference (ADWOC), Reception of Indigenous Priests etc.

After several meetings at St. Peter's Church, the representatives of the churches on October 1, 2005 agreed to set up a body known as Abagana Anglican Community (AAC). The following pioneer officers were elected: Sir Goddy C. Nzeako (Chairman), Prof. G. Igboeli (Vice Chairman), Mr. Ndu. D. Umezulike (Secretary), Mrs. Ngozi Anisi (Asst. Secretary), Mrs. Felicia Eboagu (Fin. Secretary), and Paul Okoye, the son of Paul Faith (Treasurer).

The AAC has among other things

• Planned and successfully executed the celebration of 100 years of the coming of Christianity to Abagana (1906 – 2006) in 2006.
• Laid foundation for a Chapel (the centenary project) in Girls' Secondary School, Abagana.
• Set up and supervised the local planning committee of Synod 2007 hosted by the AAC.
• Planned and implemented in collaboration with Abagana Anglican Council of Knights and Ladies the outstanding reception of eleven Abagana indigenous Priests.
• Teamed up with children of the proprietors of Nnamdi Azikiwe Secondary School, Abagana to fight for the handover of the school to the Anglican Communion.
• Under the able leadership of Sir Dr. Ugochukwu Enweani (the incumbent chairman), AAC set up a co-educational secondary school named All Saints' Secondary School Abagana with Mr. Ben Okpata as its first and incumbent principal.
• Under the auspices of the Synod 2022, Local Organizing Committee initiated by Ven. Solomon Chidoka (incumbent Archdeacon) AAC successfully produced and launched a brochure titled 'Who is Who in Abagana Anglican Community” on January 1, 2022 and raised a reasonable amount of money in preparation for the 2022 Synod to be hosted by Abagana Anglican Community (AAC).

Abagana Anglican Community Home and Abroad Women General Meeting

The role of women is very crucial in the sustenance of any church. Hardly will any church survive without strong support by the women. Each of the five churches in Abagana has its own Women Home and Abroad General Meeting. But there is Abagana Anglican Community Home and Abroad Women General Meeting which binds all the women together. The key officers are Mrs. Ngozi Anisi (President), Dr. Mrs. Nneka Aniago (Secretary) Lady Julie Okechukwu (Fin. Secretary) and Mrs. Rachael Okafor (Treasurer). The women apart from executing their own projects always give substantial financial support to the AAC in all church development projects.

The Crusaders and Church Growth

In 1988, the growth and development of the church was slowing down. The young elites in the church quickly formed what they called “St. Peter's Vanguard” to revitalize the spiritual and temporal life of the youths, encourage evangelical work, strengthen the Parochial Church Committee (PPC) and encourage members to return home and worship in St. Peter's Church at least once every month. They had Chief Hon. Vincent Aniago (late, former Deputy Governor) as Chairman, Prof. G. Igboeli (Vice Chairman), Dr. Anenye Okafor (Secretary) and Dr. Eze Magulike (Treasurer). The Association was inaugurated by the Bishop, Rt. Rev. M.S.C. Anikwenwa who changed the name to CRUSADERS. The Crusaders produced an elegant brass cross to replace the one being used for church procession; injected its members into the P.C.C; secured the services of an eminent choir master to beef up the performance of the church choir headed by Sir George Ezenwa; formed a committee on Evangelism headed by Mr. (now Prof.) Ike Akude. Unfortunately, the crusaders did not last long. The emergence and development of the new churches forced members to divert their attention and commitment to their new churches. The crusaders became progressively weakened and eventually died naturally in 1993.

Abagana Anglican Council of Knights and Ladies

This association was formed in 2004 to bring together All Abagana Indigenous Anglican Knights to support the church and for the welfare of its members and visiting Knights. All the Abagana indigenous Knights and Ladies are members irrespective of Diocese of investiture. The pioneer President was Sir Dr. John Ezenwa (late) with Sir Dr. Anenye Sam Okafor as the pioneer Secretary. The foundation members were Sir Dr. John Ezenwa, Sir Dr. Anenye Sam Okafor, Sir George Ezenwa, Sir Emma Egbum, Sir Ben Ogbuagu, Sir Dr. Eze Magulike and Sir Godfrey C. Nzeakor. It is important to mention that the first Anglican Knights in Abagana were Sir E.C. Ezekwesili and Sir Dr. F.C. Ogbalu (both of blessed memory). Members of the Association have been very supportive in church functions and projects. For example it funded and participated in the planning and reception of the indigenous Priests in 2011. It has hosted Awka Diocesan Council of Knights and Ladies Easter Retreat, involving all the Knights and Ladies in Awka Diocese. It has entertained Diocesan Knights and Ladies during major church events such as the Synod and during the burial of its member. The Association is also giving financial support to All Saints Secondary School Abagana and the Centenary Project at Girls Secondary School, Abagana. The present key officers are Sir Dr. Ugochukwu Enweani (President), Sir George Ezenwa (Vice President), Sir Prof. Samuel Meludu (Secretary), Sir Benjamin Okechukwu (Asst. Secretary), Lady Uju C. Ogbalu (Fin. Secretary), Sir Uche Okonkwo (Treasurer), Lady Julie Okechukwu (Provost), Sir Bar. Felix Ogbuagu (Legal Adviser), Sir Harry Benjamin Udu (Asst. Provost), Dame Prof Ifeoma Enweani-Nwokelo (Welfare Officer)

Other Church Organisations

Other church organizations which have continuously helped to facilitate evangelism and progress of the church include: the Youth Fellowship, Elder Men's Prayer Meeting, Fathers' Fellowship, Boys and Girls Brigade, Girls Guild, EFAC, Choir, and Home Women Church Meeting. The Home women clean the church every Saturday, the Girls Guild sweep the cemetery, the Boys Brigade cut the grass and clean the church compound; the Youth Fellowship and EFAC help in evangelism, while the choir and Gospel Band add colour and warmth to the church services. St. John's Church Abagana choir sponsored single handedly by Sir Chief George Ezenwa has for many consecutive years taken first position in Diocesan singing competitions. Mention must be made of Dr. Ugochukwu Onwuka, the Music Director of St. John’s Church Choir for many years for the enviable records achieved by the Choir in the Diocese.

The New St. Peter's Church Building

Since the completion of the Synod Hall in 1990, St. Peter's Church did not embark on any other major project until the arrival of Ven. J.O.S Edokwe, a very fearless and energetic church administrator in 2005. Under his watch as the Vicar of St. Peter's Church and Archdeacon of Abagana Archdeaconry, AAC successfully organized St. Peter's 100 years Anniversary (1906 – 2006) in 2006. This was quickly followed by the Diocesan Synod hosted by the AAC in 2007. Because of accommodation constraint, some activities were moved and held at St. John's Anglican Church Udoeke Abagana; a very embarrassing situation. However, it exposed the urgent need for a bigger and more befitting church building at St. Peter's Church Abagana.

During the meeting held on 20th January 2008 the P.C.C appointed New Church Building Committee which was announced by Ven. J.O.S Edokwe. The appointed members were Prof. G. Igboeli (Chairman), Sir Dr. Ugochukwu Enweani (Vice Chairman), Sir Obi Okechukwu (Secretary), Mr. Ifeanyi Agu (Asst. Secretary), Chief Ikechukwu Emekwue (Treasurer), and Mr. Emma Ifemedebe (Fin. Secretary). During the PCC meeting on 10th February 2008, the committee was mandated to give St. Peter's Church a new and a befitting church building; to raise fund for the project without depending on the P.C.C; and to open a separate Bank Account for the project. The PCC approved a sum of ₦2,200,000 (two million two hundred thousand naira only) as a take off fund for the building committee. The Committee moved around and after due consideration chose the site of the proposed building.

The ground breaking ceremony performed by the Vicar/Venerable Edokwe took place on 1st December 2009. After prayers said by Ven. Edokwe, Prof. G. Igboeli, chairman of the building committee, flagged off the construction work. The Architectural design was produced by Rev. Canon Architect Chuks Okoli, the Diocesan Architect, while the bill of quantities was prepared free of charge by Chiedozie Okechukwu (Chartered Quantity Surveyor - son of late Archdeacon Samuel Obiakor Okechukwu, the first Abagana Anglican Priest) as his own contribution to the project.