T

he Methodist Church of Agodi, initially known as Wesleyan Church, was established in 1909 by local community members who wanted a closer place of worship in Ibadan. Before its founding, Agodi residents traveled to Elekuro Wesleyan Church for services. To ease this burden, members like Elizabeth Jinede and Messrs. A.F. Campbell and Delphonso secured land from Pa Oke, son of the late Agodi-SORO, in exchange for dry gin and kolanuts. The first church was a simple thatched structure with a mud wall, later transformed into a more substantial building as the congregation grew.

In 1910, Reverend J.A. Pearse conducted the first baptisms, and in 1918, the church celebrated its first harvest and thanksgiving service. A larger, more permanent site was secured in 1927 after negotiation with Chief Amida, Otun Bale of Ibadan. The church continued to expand, despite setbacks, such as the relocation crisis in 1983, when younger members moved to a new, unfinished building. Eventually, the conflict was resolved, and the church community reunited.

In 1970, the Methodist Church of Agodi was relocated to its current site, secured through negotiations with the Western State’s Military Government. The foundation stone was pegged by Brigadier Oluwole Rotimi, and the building process, although slow, culminated in the modern church facility that stands today.