The new building of the St. John the Evangelist Abbi Ndokwa West LGA was on Saturday, 26 October, 2013 was dedicated by the bishop of the Warri diocese of Warri, Rev. (Dr) John Okei Aferaha. The occasion which started at 11 am, started with the symbolic opening of the door by the bishop to allow in the faithful’s and worshipers inside the new church. According the brief history of the church, it was established in 1917.
The new Church building was constructed by an Abbi son and a philanthropist, Mr. Austin Avuru, the MD of Platform Petroleum Limited (PPL). In his homily Bishop Aferaha exhorted the good gesture of Mr. Avuru and his family. He called on all present to always look for a way to build for the Church, as he described the church as “an extra ordinary place where we do an extra ordinary thing”
The occasion which attracted who and who in Ndokwa land and Nigeria, was chaired by Justice James Obi (RTD). The bishop who went through history on how the church of St John the Evangelist started and the wonderful work the various Priests that work there did, says the dedication of the new church was a case of collective agreement of the people of the Parish. He therefore called on the people to continue in one spirit to build an enduring catholic faithful.
The highlight of the occasion was the dedication of the church by anointing the Altar, institution of the tabernacle, where according to the bishop; Christ will rest in the church of St John the Evangelist Abbi. The occasion ended with entertainment of guests at the Church premises and the home of the Avuru’s
Some of the dignitaries present were HRM, the king of Emu,Obuenwe Johnson, Ogbuefi VOT Abanum, Mr. Cosmas Nwanwene, Mr. Okennmo Fidelis Tilije, Barr Eugene Okolocha.
