St. Brigid's Parish

The Catholic Church in Chereponi began in 1962 through the missionary efforts of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD). On 16 March 1962, Fr. Charles Erb, then SVD Superior, and Fr. Anthony Gelinck, SVD, arrived in Chereponi to establish a new mission. The following morning, 17 March 1962, they celebrated the first Holy Mass at 6:30 a.m. at the L.A. Primary School, marking the beginning of the Catholic mission in the area. Parish Priests The parish has been served by Fr. Anthony Gelinck, SVD (1962–1976; 1978–1983); Fr. John Kirby, SVD (1976–1978); Fr. Thomas D’Mello, SVD (1983–1993); Fr. Fred Timp, SVD (1993–2003); Fr. Marcelo Oyarzun, SVD (2003–2007); Fr. Irenaeus Boli Lolan, SVD (2008–2015); Fr. John Acheampong, SVD (2015–2017); Fr. Rudolph Kenti Babugih (2017–2020); Fr. Emmanuel Ujunwa, MCD (2020–2024); and the current parish priest, Fr. Linus Chukwu, MCD (2024–present). Assistant and helping priests have included Fr. J. Connolly, SVD (1963–1965); Fr. Gerry Berish, SVD (1984–1989); Fr. Joachim Mika, SVD (1989–1992); Fr. Vincent Boi-Nai, SVD (1993); Fr. James Arul, SVD (1993–1999); Fr. Marcelo Oyarzun, SVD (2001–2003); Fr. Madziar Wladyslaw, SVD (2001–2007); Fr. Benjamin Asare, SVD (2008–2011); Fr. Samuel Yaw Adu, SVD (2011–2015); Fr. Samuel Owusu Mensah, MCD (2020–2022); Fr. Vitalis Iwuagwu, MCD (2022–2024); and Rev. Michael Obinna Ikeogu, MCD (2024–present). Outstations St. Brigid Parish has 17 outstations: St. Anthony Catholic Church, Kudani (1962); St. Catherine Catholic Church, Wonjuga (1964); St. Christopher Catholic Church, Bunburiga (1965); St. Rita Catholic Church, Bukasu (1967); St. Paul Catholic Church, Nanchem (1972); St. Joseph Catholic Church, Naboni (1972); St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Sangbana (1978); St. Augustine Catholic Church, Yeteli (1984); St. Basil Catholic Church, Kpabokwu (1993); St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Gbong (1993); St. Dominic Catholic Church, Lamalim (1994); St. Peter Catholic Church, Tombu (2000); St. Bernard Catholic Church, Ando-Nderenu (2009); St. Mary Catholic Church, Tosala (2009); St. James Catholic Church, Ando-Jenjebu (2009); St. Francis Catholic Church, Ando-Tombu (2010); and St. Matthew Catholic Church, Soghon (2024). Through the dedication of its missionaries, clergy, and faithful, St. Brigid Parish continues to proclaim the Gospel, strengthen Christian communities, and advance the mission of the Catholic Church in Chereponi and its surrounding communities.