HISTORY OF ST. JUDE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, ORAIFITE
The history of the founding of Christianity in Oraifite must be traced back to the establishment of Niger mission at Onitsha on 271h July, 1857, by Bishop Ajayi Crowther. With Onitsha as its headquarters, the mission started to break fresh grounds by spreading the Gospel to the rest of Igbo Land, beginning with towns and villages around Onitsha. Obosi was reached in 1882, and by 1900 the church there had taken roof.
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From Obosi the missionaries in their characteristic desire to keep the light of the Gospel burning contemplated on sending the word of God to Oraifite.
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In 1900, the first attempt to establish a church at Ibolo Oraifite led by Mr. T Alvez and his team failed due to the fact that their safety was not guaranteed.
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The second attempt was in 1901, led by James Anolue Odukwe, they went to the palace of Chief Ogbuefi Udoji who provided a place of worship for them. As there were lots of issues associated with the worship in palace- it led to seeking for another place of worship at Ugwu Okpu- an evil bush.
They cleared it and erected the present St. Jude’s Church Oraifite there which was dedicated in 20th May 1910 by Rev. Sidney Smith. In 1958, it was granted District status until it also metamorphosed into Oraifite Archdeaconry in 1997 with Ven. L.N Enemo as the first Archdeacon.
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The following Archdeacons succeeded him:
VEN. J.O.K OBI VEN DR. SC. EZEOFOR VEN. DR E.C. EZUMEZU (LATE) VEN. B.U. MUOKA
VEN. DAN. AZODO (LATE) VEN. FIDELIS ONYEKA
And currently VEN. DR. JOSEPH IYKE OKAFOR. All these workers put in their best for the Gospel.
Presently, the following churches make up Oraifite Archdeaconry with St. Jude’s church as the headquarter viz:
ST. JUDE’S CHURCH ORAIFITE ST MATTHEW’S CHURCH ORAIFITE ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH ORAIFITE ST. MARY’S CHURCH ORAIFITE ROCK OF AGES CHURCH ORAIFITE CONERSTONE CHURCH ORAIFITE DIVINE LOVE CHURCH ORAIFITE
ABUNDANT JOY CHURCH ORAIFITE
ASCENSION CHURCH ORAIFITE
CHAPEL OF RECONCILIATION – Dame Irene Okwuosa
Memorial Convent, Oraifite.
To God be the Glory all these churches and chapel are doing.
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It is also worthy to note that St. Jude’s Secondary School Oraifite have recorded rapid growth within the space of three years. We have as at the time of writing these report three hundred and fifty eight students of only JSS 1-3. Our fourteen (14) teachers are all graduates. And they are well paid. To God be the glory.
Choir: By God’s grace our church choir is doing well, We also have Ever-growing Grace foundation choir, who officiate in both services every Sunday alongside the main/Adult choir.
Provisions are put in place for them as entertainment to support them.
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PROGRESS
1. Our primary school is progressing and we have over 320 pupils on ground with 13 teachers.
2. St. Jude’s Secondary school Oraifite is also progressing, the school now have J.S.S 1 & J.S.S II and J.S.S. 3 with the total number of 359 students.
3. The new school three storey building project is ongoing and it is at Decking level. All glory to God.
4. The school has gotten approval and upgrading from the State Government.
5. Two sets of microphones purchased, one for our morning prayer and one for our children service through donations.
6. The church has finished the payment of 2025 Diocesan Assessment of 7 million naira, as well as every other Diocesan levy/Land Quota.
7. The Archdeaconry quota of about 2million has also been payed.
8. Good number of youths have come back to the church through person to person evangelism by. Rev Chukwuma Azodo.
9. Ven. Dr. Joseph Ikechukwu Okafor (JP) Ochiliozua the Vicar with his “JOSIKAFO Foundation Scholarship” to the best overall student in cumulative examination of our new St. Jude’s secondary School until the student graduates from the school is still on. We pray that God Almighty will bless our Vicar in Jesus name. Amen.
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Similarly, Bro. Vincent Ezulike’s Scholarship to University level of the three best indigent students of our New St. Jude’s Secondary school Oraifite is still on.
May God continue to reward Bro. Vin. And his family in Jesus name. Amen.

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Means of Grace: The church holds two services every Sunday, English service at 6:30am and Igbo service at 9am. Every first Sunday of the month is Holy Communion and Baptism, second Sundays is matins, third Sundays is praise and miracle, fourth Sundays matins and Ozioma Uka Eke on any Sunday that falls within Eke market days.
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Monday: We have hour of mercy program that starts from 6am
to 7:30am specifically handled by the Vicar, whereas on Tuesday we observe morning prayer 5:30am to 6:30am every Wednesday morning 5:30am, we hold our mid-week Holy Communion;
from 9am to 12noon is Wednesday
prayers/healing and deliverance sessions.
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Thursday we hold our usual morning prayer and every Friday is Friday class. Every first day of the month is anointing service. New month declaration / prayers.
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Evangelism: The church embarks on evangelism every Sunday that falls within “Eke market days” at 4pm. It is tagged
“Ozioma Uka eke”. The venue is most often market places, Obi’s Palace or other strategic places within our jurisdiction.
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Through this means we reach out to the unreached within our locality. This is an Archdeaconry program that runs through all.
(EFAC): They meet every Tuesday for their fellowship and holds their night vigil every third Friday in the month. They also hold outreach at intervals, follow up classes and Bible Study Classes at 4pm but we still pray for improvement in their attendance.
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Young men Christian Fellowship (YMCF): God is really helping us as we are using so many strategies to revive the organization like playing local instrument (Ogene Music) which we tagged “Ogene Jesus” they also feature in church service especially on third Sundays of every month and Church burials.
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Glory be to God. The effort of the two assisting priests in mobilizing them is appreciated.
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Christian Men Fellowship (C.M.F): They are very much alive and they hold house fellowship every Friday at 4pm and also participate in all church activities and church services.
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Archdeaconry and Diocesan programs are not left out. The presence of the Vicar and the Assisting Priests makes them more stronger and add Numbers to them daily.
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Women Ministry: The women ministry is waxing strong, we thank God for the leadership of the Vicars wife Princess Nkiru Okafor (Milidoloedo) and Assisting Priest’s wife Mrs. Fidelia Uchendu and Mrs. Chikodili Azodo The 2025 mothering Sunday was a huge success. They also participated in Archdeaconry women conference and parish conference. The women help in keeping the church clean every Saturday, they visit their members who are aged or sick with gifts and other items.
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Finally there are four (4) active groups in the women wing of the church and they are all doing well.
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Education: We have four schools under the care of the church, they are: St. Jude’s Nursery & Primary school, Oraifite, Ezumeri Community Primary School, Oraifite, Oraifite Central school, and St. Jude’s Secondary School Oraifite. All our schools are doing well, moral instructions are held in our schools every Thursday, we also organize resumption service at the beginning of every term. God, through this avenue meets the needs of the pupils/Students and their teachers.
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It is also worthy to note that St. Jude’s Secondary School Oraifite have recorded rapid growth within the space of three years. We have as at the time of writing these report three hundred and fifty eight students of only JSS 1-3. Our fourteen (14) teachers are all graduates. And they are well paid. To God be the glory.
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Organizations:
The following organizations are functional;
Anglican children ministry (A.C.M): We hold children church service every Sunday at 9am, every Monday & Saturday is our fellowship day. We thank one of our church members who donated microphones for the children service.
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They are involved in the beginning of year teachers set apart as well as all children Easter camp. We appreciate the effort of the Church Teacher and Archdeaconry Chaplain Revd Chukwuma Azodo for his effort in mobilizing them.
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Anglican Youth fellowship (A.Y.F): Under the umbrella of this organization we have Drama team, Glorious youth choir and gospel band. They are very active and helpful especially during our church services and special programs, including our Uka Eke market evangelism (Ozioma Uka Eke), They hold their fellowship every Monday and Sunday by 4pm. We appreciate the effort of the assisting Priest Revd. ThankGod Uchendu for his effort in mobilizing them.
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Boys’ & Girls’ Brigade: They meet twice a week for their practice. By the special grace of God they rank among the most active organization in the church through the effort of the Assisting Priest Rev’d ThankGod Uchendu who is always available to see that they are moving forward.
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Ladies and Girls Unique Fellowship: They function under the women ministry and hold their fellowship two times in month, we thank the Assisting Priest’s wife, Mrs. Chikodili Azodo for co-ordinating them effectively.