who we are
St. john the evangelist catholic church oshodi
our HISTORY
Origins (1940–1950)
The roots of St. John the Evangelist trace back to the mission work of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Mushin. St. Michael’s began in 1943 when a small bamboo-and-thatch chapel was blessed by the late Rev. Fr. F.E. Birmingham (SMA). By the mid-1950s, Catholics living in Oshodi, Shogunle, Agege and Ikeja routinely travelled to Mushin to attend Mass. Evangelisation efforts — notably those led by early Legion of Mary members formed on 17 April 1954 — brought the faith into neighbouring communities and gradually increased Sunday attendance from these areas.
As the congregation from Oshodi grew, local worship was organised. On 7 December 1956 the first Mass in Oshodi was celebrated by Rev. Fr. D. J. Slattery at the Rainbow Hotel hall along Agege Motor Road. Attendance grew quickly, prompting weekend Masses to be held regularly for the local faithful.
Early Growth and Community Development (1956–1960)
By 1957 the congregation had outgrown the hotel hall, and with the support of the community and local benefactors (including Alhaji Afolabi, who offered classroom space), Masses moved to temporary premises on Brown Street. The community continued to expand spiritually and numerically, and in 1958 land was purchased on Oyetayo Palm Avenue (now Oyetayo Street) using proceeds from the 1957 harvest. With additional funds donated by the then Auxiliary Bishop Rev. J.K. Aggey, a hall and two classrooms were constructed. These served both as a worship space and as the nucleus of what became St. John’s Primary School.
Outstations and the Birth of St. Martin’s (late 1950s–1980s)
Evangelisation continued to spread. The Our Lady of Mystical Rose Praesidium was established in Oshodi and helped open a Mass centre in Shogunle. The Shogunle community purchased land in 1962 and erected a mud structure that served as both Mass centre and community hall. Despite disruption during the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), the community persevered; the mud house was later rebuilt and replaced with a modern structure that ultimately became St. Martin’s Church and an outstation of St. John’s.
Parish Establishment (1974)
In 1974 Archbishop Anthony Olubunmi Okogie appointed the St. Patrick’s Fathers to oversee the Oshodi–Shogunle communities. Rev. Fr. Julian Connolly was posted as the first resident priest, marking the formal establishment of the Oshodi–Shogunle parish. The parish quickly organised and mobilised resources to secure a permanent site at Wuraola Street after the Lagos State takeover of mission schools in the mid-1970s forced the community to vacate the school premises previously used for worship.
Building the Church and Parish House (1976–1980)
A major campaign to build a proper church followed. The foundation stone for the new church was laid by Archbishop Okogie on 26 September 1976. Construction progressed rapidly and the completed church was dedicated on 29 January 1978 as St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Oshodi–Shogunle. The foundation stone for the parish house (the priest’s residence) was laid on 4 March 1979; the parish house was completed and dedicated on 28 September 1980. At that dedication Archbishop Okogie also presented late Mrs. Martha Ore Bello with a Papal Medal in recognition of her exceptional service and generous donation of her residence for parish use.
Clergy and Leadership Transition (1978–1995)
Rev. Fr. Julian Connolly, the parish’s pioneer resident priest, was succeeded by several missionary and diocesan priests who guided the parish through growth, spiritual renewal and institutional development. Notable clergy include Rev. Fr. Jim Birmingham (who introduced the Charismatic Renewal), Rev. Fr. Patrick Laffey, Rev. Fr. John O’Leary, Rev. Fr. Noel Dunphy, Rev. Fr. Joseph Long, and others. In the mid-1990s the Archdiocese transitioned pastoral leadership from the St. Patrick’s Missionary Fathers to diocesan priests — Rev. Fr. Patrick Feyisetan became the parish’s first diocesan parish priest in 1995.
Projects, Clinic and Parish Hall (late 1970s–2000s)
The parish initiated a clinic in about 1979, initially managed by Medical Missionaries of Mary sisters and supported by community and Rotary Club assistance. Although the clinic faced challenges and a temporary closure in the 1980s, it was revived in 2002 and reorganised as St. John Medical Centre, expanding services and operating around the clock.
Plans for a parish hall were championed over many years and finally realised under Rev. Fr. Gabriel Osu. The Laffey Hall (named in honour of Rev. Fr. Patrick Laffey) and the clinic areas were developed to house parish offices, the clinic and a multi-purpose hall, which was dedicated by Cardinal Anthony Okogie in 2001 and commissioned in 2008.
Renovations and Recent Developments (1990s–2013 and beyond)
Between 1988 and 1991 the church was extended, internal finishes and seating were upgraded, flood control measures were implemented and community organisations revitalised. Subsequent parish priests led further renovations and additions: new sacristy and sanctuary works, a parish bookshop, the Evangelist newsletter (later magazine), and construction of a Chapel of Adoration. In 2010 the old church was demolished to make way for a modern 21st-century church. The foundation stone for the new building was laid by Cardinal Okogie on 10 April 2011; by December 2012 roofing and internal works were well advanced and regular Sunday Masses resumed in the new structure later that month. Very Rev. Fr. Patrick Obayomi succeeded as parish priest in 2013 and oversaw the final stages of the new church’s completion.
Clergy & Associates (selected names)
Over the years the parish has been served by many priests and associates, including (but not limited to): Rev. Frs. Julian Connolly, Jim Birmingham, Patrick Laffey, John O’Leary, Noel Dunphy, Joseph Long, Gabriel Osu (now Monsignor), Philip Hoteyin (Rev. Dr. Msgr.), Stephen Enearu, Francis Ike, and Very Rev. Fr. Patrick Obayomi. Numerous assistant and associate priests have also ministered at St. John’s, contributing to its pastoral and sacramental life.
Today
St. John the Evangelist remains a vibrant parish committed to worship, formation and community service. Its clinic, hall, ministries and expanded church building stand as testament to decades of communal sacrifice, missionary zeal and faithful stewardship. In September 2021 Very Rev. Fr. Patrick Obayomi was elevated to the rank of Monsignor — a recognition of distinguished service to the Church.
Vision
To prepare every parishioner to become a responsible, participant Christian and a leader who is guided by Catholic ethics.