The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN) Ishie Town Parish recently marked a historic milestone with its ‘Awards and Tributes Night,’ honoring dedicated members as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. The event, held on October 19, 2024, at PCN Ikot Ishie in Calabar, Cross River State, brought together esteemed guests, including His Eminence, Rev. (Dr) Ekpenyong Akpanika, Prelate and Moderator of the General Assembly of the PCN.
Rev. Atim Ayara Obong, the Parish Minister, opened the evening with a heartfelt welcome address, reflecting on over a century of Presbyterian presence in the Ishie community. “Tonight, we celebrate not just the building of our church but the unwavering spirit of service that has sustained us,” she said. She explained that some awards were posthumous, designed to honor those who laid the foundation for the church and to recognize the living for their contributions to the Lord’s vineyard.
Rev. Daniel Etim delivered a stirring keynote address titled “The Legacy of Faith and Community,” recounting the origins of the Ishie Town Parish. He shared how the community embraced Christianity between 1880 and 1906, largely due to the efforts of Obong Ishie Offiong Okoho, the revered patriarch of the Ishie people. “From its inception, Ishie Town Parish has emerged as one of the premier parishes in the cradle of Presbyterianism in Calabar and Nigeria,” he asserted.
Rev. Etim traced the early days of worship in Duke Town, where Rev. Hope Masterton Waddell established a church in 1847, using ‘Pidgin English’ for services. Amidst socio-political upheaval among the local chiefs, Obong Ishie Okoho facilitated the establishment of a new worship site at Ikot Ishie, leading to the formation of a vibrant congregation.
In 1917, this center became officially recognized as a congregation, marking the birth of the Northern Calabar Parish. Ishie PCN achieved parish status on January 10, 1981, enabling it to develop various functional groups like the Men’s Christian Association and the Women’s Guild. The current parish structure was built in December 1924, which is the basis for this grand celebration.
In his conclusion, Rev. Etim urged the congregation to uphold their commitment to prayer, support for widows and the elderly, and to provide educational opportunities for underprivileged youth. “Let us continue to build a community of faith and service,” he encouraged.
The evening also featured the presentation of awards to notable figures, including current and former prelates of the PCN, HRH Etubom Effiom Okon Effiom, the Clan Head of Ishie Clan, and Chief Justice Akon Ikpeme of Cross River State. Additionally, posthumous awards honored the legacy of late community leaders, including the founder, Obong Ishie Offiong Okoho.
