METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA, DIOCESE OF BADAGRY

IMPORTANT DATES IN THE LIFE OF METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA  SEPTEMBER 24, 1842 Thomas Birtch Freeman with two devoted African helpers, Williams de Graft and his wifearrived in Badagry thus Wesleyan Methodist began at Badagry and spread throughout the then Western Nigeria. FROM 1893 to 1907 The primitive Methodist who were the Eastern Pioneers came from tiny land of Fernando Pro now Equatorial Guinea. The Rev. Finlay and the Rev. Ben Showell worked from 1893 in Arch-bong Town, lkong and Oron before the church moved into Aabdan in south eastern state in 1907. From there it spread to lkot-Epene, Ndoro, Uzuakoli, Ihube, Enugu and other part of igbo land. MAY 1924 Rev. C. Fi'nlay made a long Journey to Otukpo as a result of which schools were promise and begun in lgunmole, Otobi, lkwonyi, Utinkon, Otukpo, Asia incho and Angelia. SEPTEMBER 16, 1924 Revd Williams Norcross arrived in Igunmole with Revd. Roberts Benham. They held services for the igbo Railway Worker

The Lay President of the Diocese of Badagry, Prof. Mrs. Stella Aina Franc -Johnson will be presented on Sunday 10th of March, 2019 at Freeman Methodist cathedral, Badagry Lagos. The service will start by 10am.

INTRODUCTION Scientist have claimed that the earth is now over one billion years old and historians confirmed without equivocation, ways of migration of the people throughout the world, Which became noticeable in Africa through movement to and from lle-lfe into most neighbouring West African countries around 1257. Among the cities of the nations of the world that experienced migration is the ancient and historical city of Badagry better known as ‘AGBEDEGLEME", contracted as GBAGI in the prestigious Ogu language of the people. EARLY LIFE OF THOMAS BIRCH FREEMAN The Revd. Thomas Birch Freeman, the servant of the Most High God and the herald of the gospel to the cradle of Christianity and Methodist in Nigeria was born in England on December 6, 1809. Freeman's father, a gardener by profession was an African and Amy, his mother was an English lady. Thomas Birch Freeman followed in his father's footsteps and later became head gardener to Sir Robert Harland of Orwe