How Christianity Began in Igboland

One of the greatest events in history is the arrival of Christianity in Igboland on July 27, 1857, over a hundred and sixty years ago. It stemmed from the broader European expedition of the West African continent. British explorers traveled to Africa to trace the source and end of the River Niger.

In 1841, the British government commissioned three ships—Albert, Wilberforce, and Sudan—to explore and chart the Niger and Benue Rivers, with the Church Missionary Society (CMS) actively involved.

Two men from Sierra Leone accompanied the expedition: Reverend J. Schön, a linguist, and Samuel Ajayi Crowther, a catechist and former slave of Yoruba parentage. The CMS had already established strong roots in Freetown, where the first missionaries had been sent in 1804.

Unfortunately, the first expedition in August 1841 was a disastrous failure. Shortly after entering the River Niger, malaria struck, killing fifty-four out of one hundred and sixty-two white men within weeks.

The Successful 1857 Expedition and the Birth of the Niger Mission

In 1857, Reverend Ajayi Crowther and J.C. Taylor, along with several catechists, joined Macgregor Laird for another expedition, this time sponsored by the British government. Reverend Crowther had received a definite commission from the CMS to establish the Niger Mission.

The mission officially began in 1857 at Christ Church ground in Onitsha, marking an African-led initiative.

After negotiations with Onitsha’s reigning monarch, King Akazua, the British established trading posts in the town, and the mission work commenced. The Onitsha king allocated land for the headquarters of the mission.

The responsibility of establishing the first Christian mission in Igboland fell on Reverend Taylor, a former Igbo slave and a convert from Sierra Leone. Reverend Taylor built schools, preached the gospel, taught, visited people, and provided healing to the natives.

On June 29, 1864, Samuel Ajayi Crowther was consecrated as a bishop in Canterbury, England, to expand the mission in Nigeria, confirm new converts, and ordain ministers.

Bishop Crowther's Legacy and the Growth of Christianity in Igboland

Bishop Crowther’s episcopate lasted for 27 years and witnessed rapid expansion in the Niger Mission. Through his powerful gospel messages, several harmful traditional practices were abolished, including:

The killing of twins
The burial of slaves alive with their dead masters
The sacrificing of maidens in Onitsha to appease the river goddess
Other harmful superstitions in Igboland

Under his leadership, numerous Niger missions were established, along with schools, seminaries, and the training of priests across Igboland.

Today, Christianity has lasted 167 years in Igboland, leaving an indelible mark on education, culture, and faith. The pioneering work of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther, Reverend J.C. Taylor, and the Church Missionary Society helped transform Igboland spiritually and socially. Their legacy continues, with Christianity remaining a dominant and transformative force in the region.

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