-
The beginning of The African Church
J.K. Coker established his own church for Africans after facing discrimination from white folks. -
The first service held
the first service was held on October 20th, 1901, in which about 800 people came to attend it. -
African church built
the African church was built in Lagos and was initially designed to withstand 600 people/worshipers. -
internal divisions
the church was divided into two groups or two sects due to difference of opinion/ideas. they split into bethel and salem. -
Unison after conflict
after multiple years of conflict between Bethel and Salem, the groups came into a decision to unite. -
conflict between churches
The United Native African Church and the United African Methodist Church almost overtook The African Church due to conflicts and disagreements. Most of the conflicts were caused because of polygamy, which The African Church opposed completely. -
Messianic Allegations
The churches of the area were accused of having messianic ideas and practices and they were accused that the people and followers/ members of the church believe that the leaders have jesus-like powers. -
the popularity increases
As of 2006 the church membership was about 2,080,000, with 580 priests in 47 dioceses, primarily in Nigeria. It had 720 individual parishes. Church membership dropped as the rise of new day Pentecostal churches challenged older-established orders in Nigeria. -
Current leaders
at the moment the church is being lead by Julius Olayinka Osayande Abbe, whom was nominated to be the 12th leader of The Church of Africa.