ABOUT US
LEARN MORE ABOUT ST JOHN's ChURCH
St. John's Church, Aroloya established in the year 1852 by the Church Missionary Society (CMS) in the heart of Lagos and located on 30 Palm Church Street, Aroloya, Lagos Island has today become a place of homilies and reflection on Bible, Divine love and Salvation.
Our Vision
This Church exists to build people of power young and old, united in faith and love, victorious in life, and prepared as candidates of heaven.
Our Mission Statement
We are determined and helped by God, to build a community of Spirit filled believers, well equipped through quality teachings and continuous Bible study for purposeful evangelism both within and without our immediate environment.
Our History
The history of St. John's Church Aroloya is a part of the history of C.M.S. work in Yorubaland. After the war and persecution of Christians in Abeokuta which was then the headquarters of the C.M.S. in Yorubaland, the Christian Missionaries moved its Headquarters down to Lagos and settled at a Station in 1852. This Station borders the Lagoon and faced a street that connects an ancient and historic market known as the 'Faji Market'. This Station became the site for the commencement of Evangelism in Lagos and thus named 'The Palm Church'. This was done under the supervision of the Rev. A. C. Mann of the C.M.S. In 1857 a school was also established on this site. Interestingly, the street of the Church's site was named after the Church, 'The Palm Church Street'
Our leadership journey over the years
Rev. A. C. Mann
Achievements:
- The first church building was established under his supervision
- In 1857 St. John's school was also established under his supervision
Rev. Nathaniel Johnson (later Venerable)
Achievements:
- The first indigenous administrator
- He changed the name of the Church from 'Palm Church Aroloya' to 'St. John's Anglican Church, Aroloya'
- Served for 25 years
Revd. Adolphus Williamson Howells (later Bishop)
1901 - 1918The Rev. Horatio Victor Emmanuel Johnson (later Canon)
1919 - 1931Rev. Sowunmi
1931 - 1943Rev. Adelakun Williamson Howells (later Bishop)
Achievements:
- During his tenure, the electric fan of the Church was first installed.
Rev. Samuel Ayodele Banjo (Later Archdeacon)
Achievements:
- He led the inauguaration of the 11th Company of the Boys Brigade