St Martin's Parish Mbape, Ajio, Shangev-ya

KNOW ABOUT THE PARISH St. Martin’s Parish Mbape as it is now was once an out-station of St. Joseph’s Parish Korinya between 1936 and 1949. It was a small church then known as RCM Church Awaji. It was the first and only catholic church in Shangev-Ya. Between 1950 and 1983 when St. Ann’s Parish Adikpo was created, it operated as a zone under the parish, opening more stations, during this period, the Church was known as St. Joseph Catholic Church. In 1984, the request of the Shangev-Ya Lay Faithful was granted and the Church was raised to the status of an independent mission by the Most Revd. Donald Murray (CSSP) the then Bishop of Makurdi Diocese. The growth of the Church however continued and barely two (2) years of her independence, it was raised to a full Parish on 30th August 1986 and the name was changed from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church to St. Martin’s Parish Mbape. The Tragedy Barely five (5) months after the creation of the Parish on 30th January 1987, tragedy struck the entire Catholic Community when the Parish Choir members were involved in an accident while travelling to Korinya for a Deanery Meeting. The Parish lost thirty-six (36) dear lives in that fatal accident (May their souls rest in peace). St. Martin’s Parish Mbape had eighteen (18) out-stations including the Parish Central Church when it started; all were grouped into three (3) zones. A few years later, more out-stations were carved bringing the number to twenty-eight (28) stations and five (5) zones. Consequently, in 2008, St. Joseph’s Catholic Mission Iyon was carved out of the Parish to stand as an independent Mission. Presently the Parish comprises five (5) zones, these include; St. Martin’s Central Zone, St. Augustine Zone Mbahura, St. Peter’s Zone Kohov, St. Paul’s Zone mbagbegba and St. Monica’s Zone Ugo with a total of number off nineteen (19) out-stations including the Central Church and two (2) Catechism Centres, all headed by zonal catechist. As a Parish, many Seminarians and Deacons have served in the Parish alongside the Parish Priests. The Parish has also produced the following indigenous Priests: Rev. Fr. Major Peter Malu (Rtd), Rev. Fr. Francis Iber, Rev. Fr. Simeon Iber, Rev. Fr. John Asen. Rev. Fr. Marcellinus Wende, Rev. Fr. Thomas Asen, Rev. Fr. Matthew Chafa, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ijeh, Rev. Fr. Matthew Dajo, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Atsue, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ada, Rev. Fr. Reuben Awajir, Rev Fr. Matthew Kyosun Cssp, Rev. Aninge, and four (4) Rev. Sisters including: Rev. Sis. Regina Amadu, Rev. Sis. Mary Iber, Rev. Sis. Magdalene Upev, and Rev. Sis. Roseline Aule. In terms of Pastoral administration, the following Priests have worked in the Parish: Late Rev. Fr. Peter Kparev (1st Priest), Rev. Fr. Thomas Orhena, Rev. Fr. Stephen Ishor, Rev. Fr. Donald Akegh, Rev. Fr. Stephen Suega, Rev. Fr. Peter Aondoakaa (Late), Rev. Fr. David Aguh JP, Rev. Fr. Isaac Ajai, Rev. Fr. Gabriel Achiaga, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Nyinya and Rev. Fr. Samuel Msugh Kete (Present Parish Priest). The Parish has continued to grow in strength from the spiritual dimension as recorded by the high rate of practising Catholics (in terms of sacraments). The Parish also has two (2) Clinics to care for the physical needs of the entire community. We have built a new church at the Parish Centre to accommodate the increasing number of Catholic Faithful in the Parish which is dedicated by His Lordship Most Rev. William Avenya, the Catholic Bishop of Gboko Diocese on 30th January, a day set aside by the Catholic Diocese of Gboko for prayer pilgrimage to St. Martin’s parish in remembrance of our dear martyrs. The parish has built a befitting Parish Priest’s Residence. God bless you. Fr. Kete SM