About Our Parish

A History of St. John the Apostle Parish, Isiakpu Nsukka The Early Struggle (1976 to 1988) The journey of the Catholic Church to take root in Isiakpu Community was not an easy one. In 1976, St. Jude's Society began holding prayer meetings in the community, gathering at the Central School, Isiakpu, the same venue where the predominantly Anglican faithful conducted their Sunday services. Although the primary school had been built by the Isiakpu community as a whole, the presence of St. Jude's Society, a Catholic pious organization, in the same compound was vehemently resisted by the Anglican faithful at the time, to the point that members of the society were arrested and taken into police custody, and their sacramentals for prayer were confiscated (items that reportedly remained at the police station, unclaimed, till date). The reason given for this resistance was that Catholics were like kerosene, that if allowed to stay, they would spread and take deep root. This resistance moved Late Chief and Mrs. Godwin Nwagbo to allow the Catholic adherents to use his compound (sitting room) for their prayer meetings. As the society's numbers grew, a batch house was erected in the Nwagbo compound for this purpose, and the growing congregation motivated its leaders to arrange for Holy Mass to be celebrated there. The solid foundation for Catholic evangelization in Isiakpu was laid in 1988, when Rev. Fr. Luke I. Adike (now a Monsignor) celebrated the first Eucharistic Mass on Isiakpu soil, at the same venue where St. Jude's Society held its weekly prayers. Securing Land and Becoming a Zone With the help of the Diocesan St. Jude's Society, a small parcel of land was purchased at Isiakpu, along Ikeagwu Road, for a prayer house or church building. Because the parcel was small, and because the surrounding landowners, being Anglican, refused to sell more land to Catholics, this land was set aside for future use. The first parcel of land that would become the present site of the parish church was instead purchased by the Catholic Women Organization, Isiakpu, at a time when Masses were celebrated as a zone under Holy Trinity station. The purchase was pioneered by Late Mrs. Jane Nwagbo, who, due to the circumstances of the time, used the name of one of her sons, Emmanuel Nwagbo, to complete the transaction. In time, the community was elevated to a zone under Holy Trinity Umuakashi. In 2009, the zone applied for station status, and the application was approved on July 4th, 2010. Becoming a Parish (2013) Through God's providence, St. John the Apostle Station, Isiakpu, was elevated to the status of a parish on 11th January 2013 by His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Francis O. Okobo, graciously granted even without any formal application for parish status. Alongside this elevation came the posting of the pioneer parish priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Nnazimako Asogwa, a young, spirit filled, and vibrant priest whose managerial skill and tireless, selfless sacrifice have shaped the parish into what it is today. He has been remembered as an illuminating servant of God, teaching the community the secret of personal development and the truth that challenges are channels to success, sacrificing his entire life for the St. John's family. Parishioners continue to pray for his long life and good health, that God would fortify him as He did Samuel and King David. However, in the absence of a parish house and its facilities, the new parish priest resided with one of the parish's sons, Mr. Charles Ugwu, until land was purchased and a temporal parish house (Boys' Quarters) was built. Building the Parish House and Chapel Parishioners made significant sacrifices, some going hungry, to ensure full participation in a family launching held as part of fundraising for the parish house and chapel. Skilled workers within the community contributed their labor, and families worked jointly and joyfully together, giving rise to the parish motto, "St. John's One Family." Friends of the parish, friends of the parish priest, and fellow Reverend Fathers also stood by the community and contributed generously in its time of need. The foundation of the parish house was laid on May 13th, 2017, and the project was completed within just six months. Parish Priests and Assistant Priests Through the Years Since its elevation to parish status, St. John the Apostle Parish, Isiakpu, has been shepherded by the following priests: Parish Priests: Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Asogwa (2013 to 2018), pioneer parish priest Rev. Fr. Aaron Okogu (2018 to 2022) Rev. Fr. Boniface Amu (2022 to 2025) Rev. Fr. Dr. Uche Ugwueze (2025 to present) Assistant Priests: Rev. Fr. Israel Eze (2016 to 2017) Rev. Fr. Felix Mamah (2017 to 2018) Rev. Fr. Maxwell Eji, Rev. Fr. Hillary Eze(2023-2024) Rev. Fr. Humphrey Asogwa (2024 to 2025) Rev. Fr. James Ogbuigbo (2025 to present) Resident Priests: Rev. Fr. Paulinus Idoko The New Parish Church Project and Prof. Dr. Hildegard Kasper As the parish faced ongoing challenges, chief among them purchasing land and building a church for the Lord, God provided help through an unexpected channel. Just as the biblical star led the three wise men to the newborn Christ, Birgitta Schneider became the path that led the parish to Prof. Dr. Hildegard Kasper. Birgitta visited the parish on 9th July 2023, her last Sunday with the community before returning home; she informed the parishioners of her departure and promised to return. Through Prof. Dr. Hildegard Kasper's generous financial support, channeled through Birgitta Schneider, the parish has been able to build its new church, reaching the roofing stage and preparing to purchase the remaining required materials, a milestone that would not have been possible without her help. In recognition and gratitude, on behalf of the Diocesan Bishop, Most Rev. Prof. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, and the entire parishioners, the parish honoured Prof. Dr. Hildegard Kasper with the name "Obioma" (Kind Heart) of St. John the Apostle Parish, Isiakpu, for her outstanding support toward the growth of the Church in Isiakpu. Towards Completion: The Interiors (2026) With the continued support of other benefactors and benefactresses, the church project has advanced steadily. By 2026, the parish has reached the stage of interior finishing, the POP (Plaster of Paris) ceiling work and tiling process, bringing the new church ever closer to completion. We thank God so far. Deo Gratias!