History of Christ the King Catholic Church
In 1976, Sr. Miriam Theresa, MMM initiated a census of Catholics residing on the western side of the Oshodi Apapa Expressway, with the aim of establishing a Basic Christian Community (BCC). By mid-1977, the first Basic Christian Community (BCC 1) was formed, comprising fifteen faithful Catholics, meeting at 8 Adeyiga Street, Ilasamaja.
Recognizing the need for a dedicated place for Mass due to increasing membership, the community secured the use of St. Louise Nursery School for Sunday Mass from November 20, 1977.
Following a Lagos State Government directive, the school became unavailable, prompting a move to St. Peter Apostolic Church Building at 13 Alhaji Yaya Street, Ilasamaja, where Mass was held at 8:00 am.
However, discomfort with this arrangement led to an ultimatum from Reverend Father Ignatius Izuchi in December 1978, compelling the community to find a new venue.
Simultaneously, Basic Christian Community 2 was established on the eastern side of the Expressway. Despite a request to the Archbishop, Most Reverend Anthony Olubunmi Okogie, for a church site within Ilasamaja, the community was directed to the present site, accessible via the newly completed pedestrian bridge at Sadiku.
In response to the ultimatum, the community quickly organized, conducting its first Mass on the new site on December 17, 1978, in an open field, marking the birth of the 2nd Outstation of Regina Mundi Parish. Archbishop Okogie's timely intervention prevented the state government from seizing the land in 1980.
Initially named St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, the community was renamed Christ the King Catholic Church, Ilasamaja, following the objection of Sr. Miriam Theresa, MMM to the former name. Until November 1986, it remained an outstation of Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Mushin.
Legal battles over land encroachment prompted the construction of the St. Ignatius Hall under the supervision of Reverend Father D. Murphy. On October 29, 1986, Archbishop Okogie officially handed over the church to the Jesuit Fathers, with Reverend Father J.B. Schuyler SJ appointed to oversee its development.
Father Schuyler's tenure saw significant growth, with infrastructure developments including the construction of a multipurpose hall and priests' residence. The pastoral team expanded, with Reverend Father Francis J. Cusimano SJ succeeding Father Schuyler as parish priest, overseeing the establishment of St. Francis Secondary School in Idimu.
Subsequent years saw further expansion and development, including the completion of the parish office, inauguration of a parish development committee, and elevation of St. Peter’s and St. Francis Catholic Churches to parish status. Reverend Father Edgar Debany SJ oversaw the construction of the Blessed Fr. Tansi Centre and increased Sunday Masses to five.
Successive parish priests and assistants continued to contribute to the growth and spiritual development of Christ the King Catholic Church, with notable moments including the hosting of the remains of Blessed Fr. Michael Cyprian Iwene Tansi in 2005. Through dedicated leadership and community support, the parish has flourished into a vibrant center of worship and service in Ilasamaja, Lagos.
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