The first missionary arrived Umueze Anam in 1906 from Aguleri. Rev. Fr. Joseph Lutz and Rev. Fr. Joseph Delaney were impressed by the people’s disposition towards them.
In 1936, a school which served as a school and Sunday Mass center was opened. The population grew larger leading to the building of a storey building for school and church activities at Oda by the Ojongo and Ngamawo age grade. In 1982, through the assistance of late Igwe J. C Emeka, the building of the present church building was initiated at its current site. In 1991, a successful launching was organized to aid the completion of the already abandoned project.
On March 6th, under the pastoral guidance of his Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Okeke, St. Theresa’s parish was formally inaugurated with the appointment of Rev. Fr. Abden Chike Onwuegbusi as the pioneer parish priest.
On 14th January 2008, the Parish was officially offered to the Discalced Carmelite Order, Vicariate of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Nigeria to manage by the Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Okeke. Since then, different Carmelite Friars beginning with Fr. Ifeanyi Andrew Unebgu OCD as the first Carmelite Friar to work in the Parish and many others who have generously offered their services. Since the arrival of the Carmelites, there have been tremendous changes both in the prayer, spiritual, fraternal and physical life of the community. The Carmelite Friars in this parish are not only involved in the pastoral work of the parish alone, we also give retreats, seminars, recollections and workshops on prayer and Christian life in general when we are invited within and outside the Diocese. In the first year of the creation of Aguleri Diocese we have had the opportunity of organizing programs such as parish retreats, opening of the year spiritual program, infant baptism, and so on. We were able to successfully erect a magnificent grotto of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the Parish. , Rev. Fr Waltermary Obiefuna Ayogu, later became the Pastor of the Church.
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Clement MOFUNANYA
