METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA
The emergence, establishment and existence of Methodist Church in Imota passed through several revolutionary changes. The entering of Christianity into Imota was very challenging and difficult due to the hostile environment to the Christain faith then. It was in the summer of 1890 that a visiting EUROPEAN METHODIST MISSIONARY named REVD. THOMAS first visited Imota with PA AFUKO ROBERT, a native of Imota who was serving as a crew in the ocean going steamer. They were able to gather some people together preaching the word of God to them in a couple of time. But this missionary effort was met with serious and fierce antagonism and was not given favourable face by the natives for propagation of the word. Their contention was that the European Missionary would take their children away after educating and converting them thus leaving them alone to face the arduous task of cultivating their farmland without helpers. Furthermore, this alien religion will probably eclipse their idol worshipping religion and so deprive them of their ancestral heritage.
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Imota Methodist Church
Churches in this Circuit
Preaching Stations
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Akio Preaching Station
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Odo Ayandele Preaching Station
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Oke Agbowa Preaching Station
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Ori Okuta Preaching Station
IMOTA CIRCUIT
With great perseverance and endurance and after several visits, the said Missionary was able to win people like Abereoje, Sonaike, Solaja, Mabogunje, Owoseni, Oregunwa, and his brother Idowu, Awolaja, Okelarin (a.k.a. Biolowotan) Rabiu, Daramola, Alaka, Emmanuel who formed the real nucleus of the Methodist congregation in Imota between 1890 and 1897. A small bamboo house with thatched roof for worship was built in 1893 just opposite the present site (about 50 metres away from the present site) before the Missionary went away. That was the First Church in Imota. The congregation was full of expectation for the return of the Missionary, but this was in vain. Yet, in spite of several persecutions from the natives, the converts remained loyal to the Christain Faith although, many of them were victimised by the unbelievers – pagans. There was no assistance until 1900 when REVD LOWTHER from REMO visited them. In 1906, the American Baptist Mission was brought in by The Reverend Ricketts and his brother, popularly called by the natives as “KASAMU”. They wanted to domicile at Imota but were refused settlement and consequently settled at Agbowa. However, the early converts switched over to the American Baptist Mission in order to have regular protection and solid foundation for evangelization. The Church was functioning very well under their care until about 1926 when Reverend Ricketts was reported dead.
Between 1970 and 1994 these people have served the Church in various capacities. They were (late) Chief J. K. Okelarin, Bro. E. O. Sodipe, Pa I. A. Ogunbowale, Bro. E. O. Sodipe as the Senior Society Steward respectively while Chief S. F. Ogunsile and Bro. A. K. Benson served as the Church Secretaries respectively. In 1990, the Church was licensed to conduct marriages through the relentless efforts of the Rev. N. A. A. Lawal and Bro. E. O. Ayinnuowo. Since then two remarkable wedding ceremonies were performed between Brother John Ola Ogunbowale and Sister Mary Timiti on Saturday, 26th December, 1992 by Very Rev. J. A. Adeniji and Bro. Ganiu Asunmo and Sister Bimbola Ayinnuowo on Saturday, 4th December, 1995 by the Very Rev. M. O. Akinbode.
The following Ministers have served the Imota Circuit:
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The Rev. E. I. Osifuwa - 1991 - 1994
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The Revd. E. O. Akande - 1994 - 1996
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Very Rev. M. A. Ajakaiye (First Presbyter) - 1996
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Very Rev. M. A. Adesoye
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Very Rev. M. A. Adekola
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Very Rev. S. O. Solankle - 2006 – 2008
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Very Rev. M. O. Olugbemi - - 2008 – up to date
Presbyter
The Very Revd. M. O. Olugbemi
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Circuit Steward I
Chief Z. A. Adeboga
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