Who was Samuel Ajayi Crowther and what was is impact on Nigerian modern Christianity?

Weekly Church History Lesson don drop

If you are interested in learning about the history of Christianity in Nigeria, you might want to know more about Samuel Ajayi Crowther, a remarkable man who was the first African Anglican bishop of West Africa. He was also a linguist, a scholar, and a former slave who overcame many challenges in his life.

Samuel Ajayi Crowther was a man of many firsts. He was the first African to be ordained as a bishop in the Anglican Church, the first African to translate the Bible into an African language, and the first African to establish a school in Nigeria.

Samuel Ajayi Crowther was born around 1809 in Osogun, a village in the Southwestern region of Nigeria. He was the grandson of King Abiodun through his mother Afala. When he was about 12 years old, he and his family were captured by Fulani slave raiders during the Yoruba civil wars and sold to Portuguese slave traders. He was put on board a ship bound for the Americas, where slavery was still legal in some countries.

However, his fate changed when a British Royal Navy ship intercepted the slave ship and freed the captives. The British outlawed the Atlantic slave trade in 1807 and were patrolling the coast of Africa to enforce the ban. Samuel and his family were taken to Freetown, Sierra Leone, where local authorities resettled them.

In Sierra Leone, Samuel was cared for by the Anglican Church Missionary Society (CMS) and was taught English. He impressed his teachers with his intelligence and eagerness to learn. He converted to Christianity and adopted the name Samuel Crowther, after a vicar of Christ Church, Newgate, London, who was one of the pioneers of the CMS.

In 1842, he went to the Church Missionary College in London, where he received further education and training. He was ordained as a minister in England, where he later received a doctoral degree from Oxford University. He was the first African to receive such honors from the Anglican Church.

He returned to Nigeria in 1843 and worked as a missionary among his people for eight years. He also learned other African languages and translated the Bible and other religious texts into Yoruba, Igbo, Nupe, and Hausa. He prepared a Yoruba grammar and a dictionary, as well as a translation of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer into Yoruba.

He also accompanied several expeditions to the Niger River, where he explored new territories and established contacts with local rulers and people. He preached the gospel and advocated for peaceful trade and development. He also opposed slavery and human sacrifice, which were still practiced in some areas.

In 1864, he was consecrated as the bishop of the Niger territory by the CMS. He was the first African bishop of West Africa beyond colonial limits. He devoted the rest of his life to administrative and evangelistic duties in his newly created diocese. He faced many challenges and opposition from both European missionaries and African traditionalists. He also suffered from poor health and personal losses.

Crowther's work had a profound impact on Nigerian modern Christianity. He helped to create a Christian church that was rooted in African culture and tradition. He also helped to train a new generation of African leaders who would continue to spread the gospel in Nigeria and beyond.

Crowther's legacy is still felt today. He is one of the founding fathers of Nigerian Christianity, and his work continues to inspire Christians all over the world.

Crowther was a bit of a prankster. Once, he disguised himself as a beggar and went to a church service. When the pastor asked him to give a testimony, Crowther stood up and gave a long and eloquent speech about his conversion to Christianity. The congregation was amazed, and they didn't realize until later that it was Crowther all along.

He died on December 31, 1891, in Lagos, Southern Nigeria. He was buried at Ajele Cemetery in Lagos. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Nigerian history and Christianity. He is also celebrated as a pioneer of African literature and linguistics.

Samuel Ajayi Crowther's life story is an inspiring example of how one can overcome adversity and achieve greatness through faith, education, and service. He left a lasting legacy for generations to come.

Grace to You.