HISTORY OF ST JUDE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, GABA

In 1903, a European Church missionary society (CMS) worker Rev’d Alfred E. Ballpopularly known in Nupe as “Nyandalu” arrived in Gaba, after a tedious trek from katcha. His mission was to spread Christianity to the inhabitants of Gaba, who were then famous for their idol worship. This historic visit marked a turning point in the life and history of Gaba. 
On arrival, “Nyandalu” called at the palace of Shaba Ndagaye of Gaba; although the community were frightened at taking him to be an enemy. Rev’d Alfred E. Ball having sojourned in both Katcha and Lokoja, spoke in Nupe and explained that his mission was to bring the good works of Church Missionary Society (CMS) to Gaba and the need for his (Ndagaye’s) people to embrace Christianity, which is the  way to eternal salvation in the life after. There was discontentment and anger among the people because they were not ready to forfeit their idol worship. The Shaba Ndagaye in his usual kindness, lodged his visitor in the safe house of Shaba Yisa, in Gaba Tako. The missionary warmly acknowledged this hospitality but gladly declined to sleep, he left that same day back to Katcha. 
Few weeks after, Nyandalu repeated his visit, but this time in company of a Bassange (CMS) trained evangelist (yagbaci). They made their way straight to Shaba Ndagaye’s palace, as simple protocol and courtesy demanded. The visitors with gospel asked Ndagaye to tell his people to come out to listen to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Shaba Ndagaye dimissed their request with a wave of hand, telling his visitors that his men had no time to waste as they had all gone to the farm. In sympathy and good response to a visitor, Shaba Ndagaye was able to lay hand on a few men, who had their farms close by to listen to the teaching of the missionaries.
The third visit was not any more successful, Ndagaye’s absence notwithstanding, the following people were taught by the missionaries: Kolo Ezhinko,Tsado Ndaeji, Ndako Legbo,Ndagunnu Ezhinko,Gana YisaJiya (son of Shaba Ndagaye) and Ndagi man.
The Rev’d Alfred E. Ball went back to Katcha where he deployed two CMS evangelists namely Daninya and Joseph Akerele to Gaba to continue the spread of Christianity in Gaba and its environs. 
Another evangelist, popularly called “Guluza” (“teacher”) was posted to Gaba. The first converts emerged during his time (1911 – 1920). They were:1.Babatsukolo Ezhinko,2.Tsado Ndaeji.3.Ndako kolo.4.Baba Ndagiman.
They discontinued their idol worship and resolved and committed  themselves to their new found faith. They suffered a series of persecutions as they were deprived and denied many privileges which their compatriots enjoyed in the village. Babatsukolo, for instance was deprived of a girl to marry, until many years later, when he found a girl in the neighbouring Village of Busu, late Mrs Mary Kolo also known as “ Mama Adi”. They were joyfully married in 1916. It was wonderful that this marriage produced a son, who  became the first Archdeacon in Nupe land, late venerable. Nathaniel D. Kolo (the first Archdeacon of Bida archdeaconry from (1978 – 1981).

THE FIRST BAPTISM:
In 1913, the first Baptism was conducted at the CMS, Church, Gaba. Those Baptised were the early convert who chose their names from the Bible after great men of God. With Baptism, the converts had their names changed, thus;
1.  Babastu Kolo to Mr. David Babatsu Kolo
2.  Tsado Ndaeji to Mr. Abraham Tsado Ndaeji 
3.  Ndako Kolo to Mr Stephen Ndako Kolo
4.  Ndagiman to Mr. Emmanuel Ndagiman
The difficulty of pronouncing these new names outside their traditional names was not easy, Non-believers preferred to address the newly baptized converts with their traditional names .Teacher Guluza, devoted more time to teaching the converts how to read the Nupe primer  and the Bible.

CHURCH BUILDINGS:
Sunday worship became regular among converts in an open space with the trained Catechist officiating. The first place of worship was a temporary building, a single room converted into a Church at Gaba Tako.
The first Church building was erected in 1908under the supervision of Church agents from Katcha and Lokoja. It was built with mud,had open windows and doors and a raffia thatched roof.
With the growing number of converts to Christianity, there was the need for a bigger Church. In 1920, when Catechist Samuel Kede was in charge of the church he directed the second church building to be built  at Gaba Tifin with the sole aim of taking the Church closer to the area where Christians were predominant. This Church was also made of mud, and a raffia- thatched roof; but it had more room than the first one. 
By 1940’s, the second Church building had become grossly inadequate for her ever increasing membership. Evangelist Samuel Ndaba Jiya the church teacher then encouraged the members to build another Church. The foundation of the third Church building was laid by Rev. Canon John N. Angulu, vicar of St. Peter’s Church Doko in 1949 and completed and dedicated in 1951. It had very thick muddy walls, metal doors and windows. The pews were made of mud and the roof was thatched.
The foundation of the fourth Church, the present building in which  we are hosting the Synod today, was laid on 28th November, 1991. This is the product of the desire to have an utra-modern church building in Gaba. The Rt. Rev. Jonah G. Kolo the Bishop of Bida Diocese dedicated it on 30th April 2006.
The St. Jude’s Anglican Church Gaba has the privilege of having numerous and spirit- filled Church workers who all have impacted greatly and positively on the spiritual life, and have indeed turned around the community  for Christ. These servants of God include the following,
1.  Tichia Daninya and Joseph Akerele, 1903-1911 (Bassanges)
2.  Tichia Guluza Bassange (1911 – 1920).(opened St Matthew’s church,Busu and St Andrew’s church Latico).
3.  Tichia Lakpini Tsado Bassange, 1920 – 1925.
4.  Tichia Daniel Ndakotsu Bassange, 1925 – 1931.
5.  Tichia Samuel Kede, 1925 – 1931.
6.  Tichia David Gana Adule Gbadafu, 1931 – 1935 was the first Nupe Church worker to be posted to Gaba after the era of the Bassanges. He encouraged the family of Babatsu David Kolo to build the first mission house where Church workers lived. Before this time, church workers used to live in the house of church members. 
Due to persecution, Tichia Adule relocated to CMS Church Busu.
7.  Tichia Peter mamman Kolo Doko 1938 – 1943. He encouraged  Church members to send their wards to school.
8. Tichia Daniel Kolo fazhi 1943 – 1946.
During his time the seat of the resident vicar was moved back to Gaba through the intervention of     Etsu Gaba, Mamman Jiya
9.  Tichia Samuel Ndaba Jiya Kuchi- Woro, 1935 – 1938.popularly known as “papa Essan”, 1946-1952 .He was the church worker at St Mathew’s Church Busu when the seat of clergymen shifted to Busu.1935 – 1938.  He started the third Church building. 
10.  Tichia James Aliu Yisa Kataeregi 1952- 1956 and 1961 got married in Gaba, 5thMay, 1953. He started the second vicarage and was  first to  occupy it, and is still in use by the resident vicars uptil today. He was the pioneer Bishop of Minna Diocese from  1990-1991.
11.  Tichia Amos Zhiri Kataeregi (Lafiagi), May, 1956 – December,1956.
12.  Tichia Thomas Mamman pichi 1956-1959.
13.  Tichia Solomon Ndadaman pichi 1961 – 1967 died in active service in Gaba on his bed in 1966.
14.  Tichia John Bawa Yisa Kodan 1968-1971.
15.  Tichia Josiah Alhassan Lanle 1971 – 1977.
16.  Rev Solomon Yisa 1977-1982.
17.  Tichia Isaiah Tsado Gbadafu 1982- 1986.
18. Rev. David Sheshi Doko 1986-1989.
19.  Tichia Abel Jiya Pati-shabakolo 1989-1991.
20.  Tichia Joseph J. Jiya Danko Massalachi.
21.  Rev’d James K. Yisa Doko-1993.
22.  Tichia Moses Kolo Vunchi 1994.
23. Rev’d Silas Legbo Emi-Ndayisa 1994-1998.He started women’s fellowship choir.
24. Rev’d Canon Jermiah N. Kolo Katamba Bologi, 1998-2003. He started St. Jude’s Anglican Church Nursery/primary School, Gaba in 2000.He is now the bishop of Kutigi Diocese.
25.  Rev’d Canon Joshua Saba Emi – Ndayisa 2003-2007. The present church was dedicated during his tenure. 
26.  Rev’d Canon Andrew N. Tsado Gubata, 2007-2009.
27. Venerable Silas Legbo Emi-Ndayisa (second coming) 2009-2018
28. Venerable Emmanuel N. Tsado 2018-Date