Holy Trinity parish, Ege oja is one of the riverine parishes with its native language as igala. It comprised of Holy Trinity parish, Ege oja and two other outstation (now St. Vincent de Paul Igbedor and St. Brendan Allay/Onugwa outstation. Holy Trinity parish was carved out from St. Mary’s parish Nzam in January 1998 by his Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Albert Obiefuna.
Holy Trinity Parish Igbedor (Ega-oja) as it is called and known is one of the riverine Parishes of Aguleri diocese. Before the coming of Christianity, the people of the area just as in most places in Igbo land were African Traditional religionist. They had longing for the transcendental Being but erroneously sought for it in rivers, trees, and the like.
However, the story began to change in 1936 when Rev. Fr Joseph Delaney who used to live in Aguleri came to Nzam and later to Odeh, Igbokenyi, Igbedor, Odekpeh and finally to Allah/Onugwa. His coming pave way for other Rev. Frs like Sweeney, Kettles, Vincent and Brendan, and they erected some school buildings which served as their residence, school and churches especially on Sundays. Their works gained tremendous success when a black priest in the person of late Rev. Fr William Obeleagu, who understood the people, their custom and tradition started visiting the area for evangelization.
The civil war and its attendant problem gave rise to inflow of refugees from other parts of Biafra into Nzam and Ega-Oja where food was plentiful and the areas free from ravaging war because of the difficult terrain. This factor contributed to the creation of Nzam Parish and formation of Olumbanasaa Indigenous Catholic Association.
In January 1998, Holy Trinity Parish Ega-oja (Olumbanasaa) was created with Rev. Fr Cyril Ezeh as the pioneer Parish priest, by His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Albert Kanene Obiefuna as then the Archbishop of Onitsha.Fr. Cyril Ezeh was succeeded by Fr. Ignatius Okeke, who introduced another dimension of evangelization called inculturation. Rev. Fr Augustine Anyanwu took over from FrIgnatius Okeke. Fr. Anyanwu improved on the life of the young parish through introduction of motor bikes and new boat. Rev. Fr Gerald Ezeanya succeeded Fr. Anyanwu. Fr. Gerald started the building of church in Igbedor plus grotto of Our Lady of Perpetual help and also attracted favours for the building of a Chapel of Perpetual Adoration by Chief Philip Infinta. He was succeeded by Rev. Fr Francis Izuakor who completed the building of the church and the church was dedicated by Most Rev. Denis Isizor, the then Auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha. Fr. Francis was succeeded by Rev. Fr Josephat Mario Madubuonu, a priest who was fluent in the language of the people. It was during his time that Aguleri Diocese was created.
On the 12th of February 2023, Pope Francis pronounced the creation of Aguleri Diocese and Bishop Denis Isizor as its First Diocesan Bishop. Holy Trinity parish Igbedor being one of the parishes within the four local governments that make up Aguleri diocese became automatically a parish of Aguleri Diocese.
Holy Trinity Parish Igbedor since the creation of Aguleri Diocese on February 2nd 2023:
The new diocese of Aguleri was inaugurated on 17th March, 2023 and the parish priest, Fr. Josephat Mario Madubuonu was present with some parishioners. On the 26th of March 2023, the Catholic Women Organization of Holy Trinity Parish celebrated their mothering Sunday and they had thanksgiving. On the 1st of April 2023, Holy Trinity parish Igbedor participated in Aguleri Regional Cathedraticum at St. Joseph Cathedral Aguleri and on the 5th of April, Chrism mass took place at St. Joseph Aguleri and the parish priest was in attendance.
On Thursday 6th of April 2023, at 5:00pm, the parish started the mass of the Lord’s Supper. At 3pm 7th April the parish embark on via crucis and they went round the town. At 8:00pm same they started Good Friday celebration, while on the 9th April 2023 they join the universal Church to celebrate Easter Sunday.On the 24th of May, 2023, the CMO of Holy Trinity Parish celebrated their Fathering Sunday in grand style
The Parish organized Pentecost retreat for the parishioners on the 21st of May and it lasted for one week. Many priests were invited for the spiritual exercise. On the 8th of July 2023, Seminarian Donatus Abuchi Uduaka arrived in Holy Trinity Parish for his six weeks apostolic work having been sent by the diocese. On the 14th of July 2023, the parish priest and parishioners attended the burial mass of their first parish priest, Rev. Fr Cyril Ezeh at Onitsha.
The Catholic Women Organization of Holy Trinity Parish Igbedor started their annual August meeting on the 1st of August 2023.On the 13th of August 2023, the parish had their Annual Harvest and Bazaar at the village square, the holy Mass started at 10:00. 27th August 2023, Seminarian Donatus Abuchi Uduaka successfully brought his apostolic work to an end and the parishioners showed their appreciation for his good work.
20th September 2023, there was general placement of priests in Aguleri diocese, and the parish priest Fr. Joseph Mario Madubuonu was officially posted out of Holy Trinity parish Igbedor and Fr. Emmanuel Onyedika Ndife became the current and first priest of Aguleri diocese to work in Holy Trinity Parish Igbedor.
On 7th of October, the old parish priest and new parish priest, Fr. Emmanuel Onyedika Ndife arrived at Holy Trinity Parish Igbedor for hand over and to begin work canonically.
On 22nd October, the first parish council meeting was conducted by the new parish priest, Fr. Emmanuel Onyedika Ndife, noting the major challenges of the parish. On the 31st October, we had Rosary Procession round the village to mark the end of October devotion.
On 25th of November, 2023, the Catholic communities and entire Olumbanasa welcomed their Excellences Most Rev. Denis Isizor and Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo who came for peace talk between Odekpeh and Allah na Onugwa communities.
On December 2nd, the new Parish priest celebrated the first infant baptism and 16 children were baptized.
On 3rd December, the Church welcomed another season of the Church, Advent and another liturgical year.
Parish Pious Societies : Block Rosary crusade, legion of mary, charismatic renewal.