We cannot comprehend the fullness of the history of this chaplaincy without speaking of the brothers of St. Stephens.
The congretation of the brothers of St. Stephen was founded by his eminence; Cardinal Francis Arinze on 21st March, 1975. The congregation later went into land negotiation with Akpukwu family of Ifite village Nkwelle under the chairmanship of Chief Joe Ilobi. The foundation stone of the Novitiate of brothers of St. Stephen’s was laid by his eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze on 17th August, 1977.
St’ William’s parish from which the chaplaincy was later carved out began on Saturday 11th March, 1978. During the administration of Very Rev. Mgsr. M Obiukwu; St. Stephen was declared an outstation of St. William’s Nkwelle. The brothers of St. Stephen helped in providing for the spiritual needs of the faithful in the outstation.
In 2015, it became expedient as the people of God were increasing in number to make it an independent station, His grace therefore on 14th October 2015 canonically carved it out from St. William’s parish Nkwelle and appointed Rev. Fr. Ndubuisi of the brothers of St. Stephen as her chaplain. The first mass was celebrated as a chaplaincy on 21st October 2015.
What is now known as St. Stephen’s Independent station Nkwelle Ezunaka was one of the outstations of St William’s Parish, Nkwelle Ezunaka between 1986 and 2015. As the number of worshipers continued to increase coupled with the distance from the mother parish, His Grace Most Rev. Valerian M. Okeke on 14th October 2015 canonically carved it out from St William’s Parish Nkwelle Ezunaka with the name “St Stephen’s Chaplaincy, Nkwelle Ezunaka.” He appointed Rev. Fr Emmanuel Ndubisi of Brothers of St Stephen as its Chaplain. The first Mass was celebrated as a chaplaincy on Sunday, 21st October 2015. He took care of the pastoral needs of the people of God in the chaplaincy for four years. In 2019, he was transferred to St Theresa’s Parish, 3-3 Onitsha, and was replaced with Rev. Fr Jude Oboshi (BSS), who continued with the pastoral care of the chaplaincy till 2021. Owing to health challenges, he was asked to have some rest. On 7th March 2012, Fr. Cosmas Otteh (BSS), was directed by His Grace Most Rev. Valerian Okeke to replace Fr. Jude Oboshi as the substantive chaplain. With the creation of Aguleri Diocese on 17th of March,2023, our chaplaincy was due to experience a new dawn. Most Rev. Denis Isizoh was appointed the first Bishop of Aguleri Diocese. His maiden pastoral visit to our chaplaincy on Sunday 23rd April 2023 brought smiles to our chaplaincy as it was canonically elevated to the status of an Independent Station that same day, making it possible for us to attend to all the pastoral needs of the people of God. The seven sacraments can now be celebrated in our church.
Parish Pious Societies: legion of mary, charismatic renewal, mother of perpetual help, sacred heart, St. Stephen’s group, Block rosary crusade