Who We Are

The writing of the history of Ikoyi Baptist Church Lagos must start with the concern of a few Baptists for the non-Yoruba speaking members of First Baptist Church Broad Street, Lagos who were unable to have meaningful worship experience every Sunday because of language barrier.

The concerned members were Rev. & Mrs. B. T. Griffin, Deacon & Mrs. A. L. Sikes, Mrs. Ethel Mae Moseley (now Mrs. Mehl), Rev. (Dr.) & Mrs. E.A. Dahunsi, and a few others. There was the problem of accommodation that must be solved before there could be any worship service. After many unsuccessful attempts, the Lord led some women to “Aunty” Chief Mrs. Ayo Manuwa who readily made the facilities of her school at Biaduo Street, S. W. Ikoyi available for our services for free.
Rev. Griffin on behalf of these concerned members delivered a letter to Rev. Dr. Dahunsi asking that Deacon Sholeye later Rev. Sholeye be released from the First Baptist Church, Lagos to lead Ikoyi Baptist Chapel. This was done and the first service was planned for May 28, 1967. This service was attended by 27 people -20 children and 7 adults.


We needed a property of our own; we started looking for one in and around Ikoyi but none were available. We were acting on faith when, without any property, a sketch of the building we wanted with a comprehensive write-up on what it should contain was submitted to the architect – late Arc. Akin Aderele. The Baptist Mission came to our aid when permission was granted to us to use the land adjoining the Baptist Mission House, 5, Bell Avenue, if we could get government approval. We were expected to provide a property for the mission in exchange for 5, Bell Avenue. Regrettably, we were unable to do this, although the church rented a house for the Baptist Mission in Gbagada, Lagos for two years before the mission moved to its permanent house in Ilupeju Palmgrove Estate.
The Board of Trustees of the Baptist Mission of Nigeria finally decided to transfer the unexpired leasehold of 5, Bell Avenue, Ikoyi (Church premises) to Ikoyi Baptist Church on 15th June 1994. The premises is on a leasehold to the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention of USA for 99years from 1st January, 1947


The following things were done ever before we acquired land property:

A Building Committee was set up with the following as members: Deacon Sikes -Chairman, Mr. O. Okanla- Deputy Chairman, Rev. B. R. Griffin, Mr. Noah Fadayomi, Mr. Jocoby, and Mrs. Sikes.
On May 29, 1972, a Publicity & Finance Committee was also set up with the following as members: Mr. P. E. N. Malafa-Chairman, Mrs. Sikes, Mrs. Adewale, Mr. Oldham, Mr. Awodi, Mrs. Griffin, Mrs. Okanla, Mrs. Fadayomi, and Mrs. Agboola. Deacon Olusegun Kuti was requested to produce drawings for the Chapel and for a bigger sanctuary to take care of 2000 worshippers at once.


At this juncture, it is important to acknowledge the assistance the Church received from Mr. W. H. Congdom, the mission Architect of the Baptist Mission in Nigeria. He made many trips to Lagos in connection with the church building project at 5, Bell Avenue. He sent our designs to the Architect’s Department of Southern Baptist Convention for advice, criticism, and suggestions. These Comments and suggestions advised the use of 3-storey concept.


COMPLETION OF THE BUILDING OF THE CHAPEL

The members voluntarily came together to ensure the building was completed. Apart from giving of their time, they gave of their money also. They used their personal money on behalf of the Church to buy many things when they suspected prices were going up. The members of the committee were Deacon Oluwole, Deacon Fadayomi, Messrs Oduwole, Ayo, Awoniyi, Onalaja, and Omidiji.

Important Land Marks

1. Four Deacons were ordained in the First Baptist Church for Ikoyi Baptist Church on 4/6/1974 and one from the U.S.A. was recognised as a Deacon of the Church. They are Oluwole, Okanla, Fadayomi, and P. E. N. Malafa; Deacon Harvey L Harvey was recognised.


2. The Church was organised on October 6, 1974.


3. A new sanctuary that can seat 2,500 worshippers was constructed by Cappa & D’Alberto Plc and dedicated for use to the Glory of the Lord on the 22nd day of July 2012


4. Past Church Pastors

a. Rev. J.A. Sholeye- 1967- 1991
b. Rev. Prof. Yusuf Ameh Obaje- Interim Pastor- 1991-1992
c. Rev. Dr. Abayomi Enitan Lawal- April 3rd 1992- August 31st 2017


5. Past Church Ministers
a. Rev. Edward Kehinde Alabi
b. Rev. Ekaerette Inyang
c. Rev Mrs. Bosun Adegboyega