In July 1875 the seed of Christianity was planted in Asaba at the arrival of the CMS (Church Missionary Society) Missionaries at the Royal Niger Company beach at Otu-Enenia also to be later known as John Holt beach, Asaba. The first team of missionaries comprised of European, West Indians and Sierra Leoneans. The first church was built on that beach and it was from there that the missionaries went on evangelism into the town.
In 1879 there was a temporary transference of CMS headquarters from Onitsha to Asaba. The development coupled with the rising number of converts saw the need for a larger accommodation for church services. In actualizing this, a piece of land was donated to the missionaries at a spot called ''Ator'' at Umuaji quarters. A new church was built on this land and called Holy Trinity Church.
Missionary activities soon spread to other communities as stations were opened at Akwukwu-Igbo, Onicha-Olona, Ubulu-Uku, Ubulu-Okiti, Ugbolu, Idumuje. CMS training institute was founded in Asaba in 1895 with Mr. H.B Merriman as first principal and was succeeded by Rev'd Julius Spencer. This institute was later moved to Akwa to become the famous CMS School Akwa under Rev'd S.R Smith in 1904. Today it has become the University College, Awka.
The African missionaries from Sierra Leone who constituted the early church workers in Asaba District between 1875 and 1890 were followed by Rev'd H.H Dobinson, Rev'd J. Wilson, Rev'd Alphonsus Onyeabor, Hezekiah Nwaje, Mathias Ogo, James Ibeneme, Samuel Nkemena, Benjamin Nwosu, George Ikpeze, Jeremiah, Ikejiani, Patrick Egolum among others.
It is worthy to note that on the 25th of January, 1920, the first indigenous son of this Diocese by name Andrew Asiekwu became a clergyman. Rev'd Nwabuoku who was ordained on 13th January,1929 followed him.
Others that came after them were Francis Okwoadi, Charles Echenim , Gabriel Kerry, Ebenezer Onwuama, R.C Molokwu, Alexander Ifeadi, Dr. Emmanuel Okolugbo, Dr. Nicholas Azinge, Abraham Chikunie, Emmanuel Ugbalase, Samuel Dumbili and others.
In January , 1962, the Anglican Churches in Benin and Delta Provinces which were under the Diocese on the Niger with headquarters in Onitsha, were grouped together to form the Benin Diocese. Bishop Agori Iwe was made it's first Bishop. The churches within the present Ndokwa, Ika, Aniocha and Oshimili Areas constituted the Asaba Archdeaconry under the new Diocese of Benin. This Archdeaconry was was later split into three, namely; Asaba, Ndokwa and Ika. At that time, Archdeacon A.O Ifeadi was stationed at Asaba, Archdeacon G. Kerry at Agbor and Archdeacon C.A Echenim at Obiaruku.
Within ten years after the creation of Benin Diocese, there was a genuine desire to have the Diocese split into three, namely: Benin Diocese, Warri Diocese and Asaba Diocese. Planning committees were eventually set up in the three areas to send their propositions to the Archbishop of West Africa and the Provincial Standing Committee.
The planing committee for Asaba Diocese worked very hard and called for donations from sons and daughters at home and abroad in order to raise the necessary funds for the proposed new Diocese. There was positive response and the petition was put forward to the Archbishop of the Province of West Africa asking for the creation of the Diocese of Asaba with headquarters at Asaba.
In 1977 the Most Rev'd M.N.C.O Scott, the Archbishop of the Anglican Province of West Africa and the Provincial Standing Committee consisting of Bishops, Clergy and Laity, split the Diocese of Benin into three Dioceses: Benin, Warri and Asaba.
On the 6th day of August, 1977, the Feast of the Transfiguration of o
Our Lord at St. Matthew's Cathedral, Benin-City Archdeacon R.N.C Nwosu of Enugu Diocese along with two others, was duly consecrated the first Bishop of Asaba Diocese. He was enthroned at All Saints' Cathedral Asaba on the 10th day of August, 1977.
The pioneer key officers of the Diocese of Asaba at its creation were
1. Chief Dennis C.Osadebay
Chancellor
2. Justice Uche Omo
Deputy Chansellor
3. Barr. G.C Ohen
Registrar
4. Barr. K.O Ngenegbo
Deputy Registrar
It is also worthy to note that the first synod of the new Diocese was held from 23rd to 24th October,1977.
On the exit of the pioneer Bishop of the Diocese, the Rt. Rev'd Dr. Roland N.C Nwosu, The Most Rev'd Dr. Nicholas D. Okoh took over as the second Bishop. At his elevation as the Primare, Archbishop and Metropolitan of All Nigeria, The Most Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Okoh left for Abuja, giving way for the third and incumbent Bishop, the Rt. Rev'd Justus Nnaemeka Mogekwu.
