BRIEF HISTORY OF ST. PAUL MUTI

Like the disciples and the followers of Christ in the bible, the church took its root in the property of late Mr. John Enyi as St. Michael prayer group under St. Luke Catholic Church, 174 battalion, Nigerian Army Barracks, Odogunyan, Ikorodu, Lagos State with these three families, namely

Mr. John Enyi and family

Mr. Paul Odoh and family

Mr. Dennis Akpira and family

As a result of the terrain and the distance to St. Luke Catholic Church from Muti, it was difficult to have members attend mass regularly in the barracks hence the catechist of St. Luke Catholic Church Mr. John Achope who volunteered and was seconded by the priest to meet with the prayer group members in Muti to conduct service every Sunday. This energized other groups with similar problem, like those from Igbo – Olomu led by Mr. Godwin Alo, those from Agbede led by people like Mr. Michael Aja, Mr. Obinyan and Mr. John Odo Agbeje and the group from Orimedu led by Mr. Nicholas Ayanbisi to join the prayer group. 

Due to the exigency of Mr. John Achope picking up a part time study in Yaba Tech and work, it became impossible to combine the activities with the Sunday services, hence Catechist Gabriel Udanyi was seconded by Father Christain Eze of St. Augustine Catholic Church, to take up the role. As the number rose, Catechist Emmanuel Nwotobo was asked to join Catechist Gabriel Udanyi to help with the Sunday service.

As the group metamorphosed from St. Michael Prayer group, to Muti Prayer group and finally Muti catholic community, it became expedient to have a worship center in the neighbourhood, in December 1999, with an inspiration from God, catechist Gabriel Udanyi muted the idea to Rev. Fr. Christain Eze for the need to acquire land to build a church within the community. The idea was further muted by the priest to His Eminence Cardinal Anthony Okogie who immediately directed and provided fund (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only) for the acquisition of an acre of land.

In January 2000, with the efforts of Catechist Udanyi, Mr. John Enyi and Mr. Paul Odoh a makeshift property was erected for use as a worship center on the parcel of land which we are today standing on. It was in March 2000 that the first holy mass was celebrated in the property. With the transfer of Rev. Fr. Eze and the incoming of Rev. Fr. Henry Omonishaye CMF a more modern structure was erected which we are today remodeling with the able leadership of our indefatigable parish priest Rev. Fr. Victor Eke (SDV)

St. Paul catholic church from inception was an outstation of St. Augustine Catholic church till 2005 when it was ceded to, with a host of other churches (Odonla, Odokekere, Igbosoro, Muti, Igbolomu, St. Lucy Orimedu and St. Agnes Elepete) to Sacred Heart Catholic church Odogunya and Fr, Francis Adegun as the first parish priest in charge, subsequently, it was again ceded as an outstation to Archangel Catholic Church, Agbede, in 2018 with Rev. Fr. Innocent Chiamaka as the first parish priest in charge. Then in September 2023 it was pronounced a quasi parish with St. Agnes Elepete as her  outstation and her first parish priest in charge as Rev. Fr. Victor Eke (SDV). The church witnessed her First Harvest in November 16^th, 2002.

It will be worthy of mention and their notable role in the growth of St. Paul Catholic church, the following individuals;

Late John Enyi, first Church Pastoral Council (CPC) vice chairman

Mr. Paul Ode, later became the next CPC vice chairman

The first C. W. O. president was Mrs. Helen Odoh.

The first Choir Mistress Miss Victoria Enyi.

The first lector was Francis Enyi who is now a Rev. Brother. Others are

Late Chief Alexander Adioha, C.M.O Chairperson

Mrs. Violet Agba C.W.O. president

Mrs. Latitia Adioha CPC vice chairperson

Mr Luke Daudu CMO Chairperson

Mrs. Oby Onwuegbuzie CWO president

Mr Solomon Onwuegbuzie CPC vice chairperson

Late Mr. Olawale Francis Aro  C.P.C vice chairperson

Mr. Marcel Nze CMO chairperson

Mrs. Nelly Onaji C.W.O president.

Rev. Fr. Cornelius Olaniran was the last priest in charge before St. Paul Catholic church was pronounced a quasi parish.

Today as a parish we have

Rev, Fr. Victor Eke as the first parish priest in charge

Mr. Felix Attoh first vice Chairnan – Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)

Mr. Marcel Nze CMO Chairman

Mrs. Nelly Onaje CWO president

It is interesting to note that before 2022 the church had just the worship center as a physical item on the land but before Fr. Cornelius Olaniran left, he ensured the building of a twelve (12) compartment “digital” toilet which was anchored by the CMO of the church, the drilling of a borehole for water supply which was anchored by the CWO of the church, the building of an office for the priest and finally the foundation laying to the decking and completion of the ground floor of the parish priest residence.

Currently the new priest and the first priest in charge within the period of October 2023 to date has been able to construct

1. A three (3) bedroom boys quarter
2. Taken up the priest residence from the decking level to the first floor lintel levy and also restructured the original building    plan
3. Furnished the priest residence
4. Mounted a scaffold for the overhead water tank
5. Fortified the front perimeter fence and plastered it.
6. Currently restructuring the church auditorium  that partly collapsed due to weakened woods to a more modern structure, which we will do in “three (3)     days”
7. The various societies and organizations in the church have now been restructured to work properly within their ascribed   functions.
8. Regular masses and liturgical activities – weekend, public holidays and Sundays are now been observed.

PARISH ANTHEM

PRAYER TO ST PAUL THE APOSTLE

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