HISTORY OF ST PETER’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, PATISHABAKOLO (THE ZION HILLS)

The founders of Patishabakolo were Ndakolo and Ndajiya. Ndajiya was the elder brother. Their father was Nmadu Kafo and their mother’s name was Azunko. They migrated from the foot of the hill near Nindu layi to the present site. Ndajiya later migrated to Elagi near Gbadafu and died there at an early age; His Children were taken back to his younger brother Ndakolo who still lives at Patishabakolo. The word “Kolo” was derived from the founder’s name, while Shaba was his title. The two words joined together simply formed “Patishabakolo”. 
Their major occupations were blacksmithing, digging of iron to produce implements for farming and house implements for women. Before the advent of Christianity, they were idol worshippers. 
Around 1900, the missionaries made frantic effort to locate where the Nupe Bini inhabitants were staying. The simple reason was that the Nupe Bini could easily be converted; because Nupe Bini did not tolerate nonsense and they were not of the Fulani stocks. Missionaries came through Piciko. Their method of introducing Christianity was for the villagers to come and learn the Prima (“Abidi”) and (“Katikism”). The Village head did not prevent anybody from learning the prima and katikism. Ndayisa and Yanmadu (later known as Joseph Nmadu) were the first people to accept learning the Prima which became the platform to become Christian. Later the missionaries sent Ndayisa to the missionaries stationed at Bida to learn more about the Bible, but he turned down the offer. Ndayisa now sent Joseph Nmadu(formally known as Ya Nmadu) to go for the training at Bida. Joseph Nmadu went for the training during the reign of Etsu Bello (the Emir of Bida) between 1916 and 1926. Joseph Nmadu after his training became an evangelist and was posted to Kpada a village in Kwara State of Nigeria. He suffered much persecution, was imprisoned and rejected by his parents for his new found faith, Christianity. But he did not give up his faith. He continued his evangelistic work and led many souls to Christ in places around him such as Emitsu zhiko. 
In 1910, he initiated the first church to be built. The church was 12ft by 12ft.  As the membership increased, there was a need to build a bigger church and it was built in 1940. St Peter’s Anglican Church, Patishabakolo was under St. Andrew’s Church Parish, Piciko. In 1963, the third edition of the Church was built during the tenure of Rev’d David Sheshi from Doko. This servant of God gave much advice to members to take their wards to school. Rev’d David Sheshi introduced members to subsistent agriculture instead of relying on blacksmithing. They grew pepper, tomatoes, oranges and reared animals to improve their economic fortunes.
In December 1986, Mr John L. Taidi, Mr Peter Jiya, Mr Moses L. Yisa, and Mr Paul Jiya initiated the building of the fourth edition of the church which was to be the most modern and bigger. Rev Joshua Mamman Lanle was the vicar during this period. 
Finally, the foundation of the fourth edition was laid in March, 1989 by Venerable James A. Yisa of blessed memory the Archdeacon of Bida who later became the Bishop of Minna Diocese. Venerable Jonathan Kolo Yisa from Doko was the Vicar then. 

A BRIEF HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN PATI EMITSUZHIKO:
Emistuzhiko was a satellite village near Patishabakolo when missionaries came to Patishabakolo. The elders sent a message to Emistuzhiko to come and see the white men and also to know the purpose of their coming. Some converts were made such as late Ndatswankwa also known as Joshua, Baba Paul Ndaman, Baba Daniel and Ya Zhiko. The issue of polygamy was a great obstacle to many of the villagers for those who embraced Christianity. Without it, the converts could have been more. Under the leadership of Baba Daniel Gana, a church was built in 2002. Twice a month, members of St Peter’s Anglican Church, Patishabakolo worshiped with the members at Emistuzhiko members to encourage them.

CHURCH WORKERS:
After the era of the missionaries and evangelist; St. Peters, Anglican Church, Patishabakolo had the privilege of servants of God who served in this great church. Their impact was felt in the community.
Rev’d David Sheshi December 1950- 1965. He encouraged members to send their wards to school; and to engage in subsistent agriculture producing pepper, tomatoes, and oranges. That empowered them economically. 
Rev’d Thomas Alhassan Mamman 1956; acted three months when Rev’d David Sheshi went on a three month course.
Rev’d Solomon Audu Fazhi 14th April 1965 - 1970.
Evangelist Michael Ndaeji Gaba 1968, acted when Rev’d Solomon Audu went on a three month course.
Evangelist Stephen Kpotun 1970 - 1974
Evangelist Joshua Mamman Lanle 1974 - December 1987
Rev’d Jonathan Kolo Yisa 1988 - 1991, was the one in whose time the foundation of the present church, the fourth edition, was laid in March, 1989.
Rev’d Silas Legbo 1991- 1993.
Rev’d Daniel Tsado 1993 - 1998.
 Rev’d Joshua Saba 3rd May - January 2003.
 Rev’d David Ndabawa Jiya, January 26th 2003 - January 23rd 2006.
 Rev’d Silas Legbo 24th January 2006 - April 2007 for the second time.
 Rev’d Josiah Y. Kolo April 3rd 2007 - 23rd June 2008 
 Venerable David G. Tsado 24th June is to date the incumbent vicar. During his time the church vicarage foundation was laid and built with modern building materials and the vicarage was dedicated during his tenure.
With a humble beginning, the church that started with few members when under St. Andrew’s Church Parish, Piciko has become a parish. In 2004, it became a provisional district church council. In 2008, it became a full-fledgedDistrict Church Council in Bida Diocese.
During the first Session of the Second synod held at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter Doko, the Bishop granted the church a full- fledged Archdeaconry status with Venerable David Gboya Tsado as her first Archdeacon.
 The church also had the privilege of visiting Bishops who were the Diocesan then: Rt Rev’d Titus Ogboyomi Kaduna 1983, Rt Rev’d James Aliyu Yisa;  Minna 1994, Rt Rev’d Jonah G. Kolo; Bida 18th December 2005, and Rt Rev’d Uriah N. Kolo 17th January, 2010. The current incumbent bishop Diocese of Doko