St. Theophilius parish Nkwelle started gradually like any other parish. When the first group of people packed into new generation estate in 2011, there was a need for a place of worship. The Catholic faithful in the estate met with Fr. Theophilius Odukwe who was the spiritual director of New generation multipurpose co-operative society, requesting that mass be celebrated for them. Thus the first holy mass was celebrated at the site given to Catholic by the estate managers on 16th October, 2011. The memebers of the new church decidedto name it after the patron saint of the generous spiritual director, hence ‘St Theophilius’
St. Theophilus Catholic Church Parish had a very humble beginning with 11 families. These families gathered on 9th Oct 2011 in the house of Chief Aloysius Ndimkora and had their very first mass in the estate. The Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr Chukwueloka Nwachukwu coming from St. Augustine’s Parish Amafor Nkpor Agu.
Meanwhile the 10-man trustees for the 300 members that made up the new Generation Estate Multipurpose Co-operative Society had mapped out a piece of land for the building of a Catholic Church. The land was documented, signed and officially handed over to the church by the caretaker committee under the leadership of Chief Aloysius Ndimkora and Nwankwo Fausty Uche, the chairman and secretary respectively, after the approval by the meeting of the general house on 24th February 2010.
At the meeting of the few dwellers in the estate on 13/10/2011, they decided to clear the ground already given to them for church building, and start masses there. They tasked themselves and raised ₹110,000.00.
They cleared the bush and on 16th Oct. 2011 the first mass on the church ground was celebrated by Rev. Fr Chukwueloka Nwachukwu at 8:30 am, under the berry tree (Ukwu Chereku). After this first mass the new station was assigned to Rev.Fathers’ M.P Okoye and Martin Atumanya, Mr Vitus Okie was the catechist while bro Christopher Iloka was the assistant catechist.
Temporary Shelter
Celebrating the Holy Mass under the sun and unfavorable conditions motivated the few faithful to levy themselves to erect steel poles for a temporary church structure. The desire turned into a project Sunday donations. From the proceeds they were able to raise money with which they put up the present temporary church building in use today. On 31st October 2012, the first morning Mass was celebrated in the new church building by Rev. Fr Martin Atumanya.
Dire Need for a Rectory
The love to have Rev Fathers’ house grew deep in the minds and hearts of these pioneer faithfuls, and so on 10th August 2014, they commenced the construction of a rectory. On 20th August 2014, the foundation of the fathers’ house was laid.
Independent Station
On 24th October 2014, the church was approved as an Independent Station and Rev. Fr Martin Atumanya was appointed as the administrator. On 26th October 2024, the independent station was inaugurated and the administrator was received. The parish council was formed with Bro. Christopher C. Iloka as the vice chairman.
Bishop’s Visits
On 1st June 2015, His Grace, V.M. Okeke paid a passing visit at 4:50 pm with members of his entourage to the independent station. On 20th February 2016, the independent station was raised to parish status by his Grace V.M. Okeke, and Fr. Martin Atumanya was the first parish priest. In early August 2016, the fathers’ house work was completed. On 21st August 2016, His Lordship, Denis Isizoh paid a pastoral visit to the parish and blessed the Fathers’ house. On 4th August 2019, His Lordship paid another pastoral visit to the parish.
New Parish Priest
Fr. Martin Atumanya the pioneer parish priest was transferred in October 2019. On 15th October 2019, Rev. Fr Peter Obidi, the second parish priest arrived at the parish, and continued the parish work where Fr. Martin had stopped. On 20th March 2021, His Lordship Bishop Denis Isizoh paid a visit to the parish for community rosary. On 4th September 2022, His Lordship Bishop Denis Isizoh paid a pastoral visit to the parish, during the visit he blessed the office complex just completed.
Parish Pious Societies: legion of mary, charismatic renewal, mother of perpetual help, sacred heart