For over a century, the Cathedral Church of St. John, Iloro, Ilesa has had a special relationship with Ijesas that are one of the major Yoruba groups. It has been reported that there are five main Yoruba dialects – Oyo, Ijesa, Ijebu, Egba and Ondo and that other dialects are variations of one of these five. Perhaps it was the prominence of Ijesas that explained that the next point of call of the missionaries after Ibadan was Ilesa. In spite of the difficulty of movement at the time arising from wars among the various Yoruba sub-ethnic groups, it was remarkable that the missionaries arrived in Ilesa on the 7th of February, 1858.
Revd. David Hinderer in company of Vincent Agbebi called on Owa Obokun Ofokutu and informed the Royal Father and his Chiefs that they had come to preach the gospel.
The missionaries were warmly received. It has been reported that Owa Obokun Of Okutu and his Chiefs welcomed the missionaries with enthusiasm.
Hinderer did not stay long before he returned to Ibadan. He handed over the baton to Agbebi whom he had given a crash-training.
In 1865, Agbebi went to Ibadan and did not return until 1875 because his movement was hindered by the inter-tribal wars. Agbebi was encouraged by the number of converts he met on his return in 1875.
The missionaries settled down to work and before long there were enough persons converted to justify the building of a Church.
THE ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL CHURCH, ILORO, ILESA: In 1872 the foundation of the first church in Ijesaland was laid at Ifofin and on Easter Day in 1873, the congregation had their first worship. As the congregation grew, it was found expedient to move to a more suitable location. In 1886, the foundation of the building of St. John’s Church, Iloro, Ilesa was laid and on 20th July, 1887, the building was dedicated for Church Services/worship to the glory of God and the edification of believers.
Sunday, 16th December, 2018, the Cathedral of St. John, Iloro, Ilesa had its 103rd Choir anniversary Thanksgiving Service that was tagged "Rejoice in the Lord".
Recall that The Cathedral Church of celebrated its 102nd choir Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 10th December, 2017. The celebration was tagged "E Ho Iho Ayo Si Oluwa". The highpoint of the celebration was the investiture of the All Progressives Congress' leader Kunle Odeyemi as the Baba Isale Egbe Akorin, conferred on him by the Diocesan Bishop of the Ilesa Diocese (Anglican Communion).
Present at the occasion were many Osun APC political office holders including legislators, commissioners, then Chief of Staff, Advisers, Executive Secretaries etc. Many All Progressives Congress (APC) loyalists were also present to witness the occasion. It was at that occasion that Leader Kunle Akanni Odeyemi promised to donate a bus for the use of the choir of the Cathedral with the help of his friends.
To the glory of God the presentation of a 18 seater Hyundai bus coincided with the 103rd Choir anniversary of the Cathedral.
Speaking at the thanksgiving after handing over the keys to the bus to the Cathedral's Archdeacon, Ven. K. O. Adekunle and Rtrd. Bishop A. O. Awosan in the presence of the State of Osun Deputy Governor, Mr. B. O. Alabi, the Ijesa South Federal Constituency's member of National Assembly, House of Representatives, Hon. Ajibola Famurewa, Osun State House of Assembly's Leader of the House, Hon. Timothy Owoeye and other political bigwigs and clergymen. Leader Kunle Odeyemi asked the congregation to thank the Minister of Health, Prof. Adewole, the Osun East APC Senatorial Candidate and current member of National House of Representatives, Hon. Ajibola Famurewa and Hon. Timothy Owoeye.
In his preaching at the choir thanksgiving service Ven. K. O. Adekunle admonished politicians to follow the example of Leader Kunle Odeyemi to always respect and fulfill all promises made by them in the house of God. He prayed that God will continue to honour him as he has honoured God by providing the bus for the use of the church. That it was God Himself that gave Leader Kunle Odeyemi the grace to fulfill the promise that he made in good faith.
Also present at the thanksgiving service were Hon. Femi Olowe, Ilesa North East LCDA, Parliament House Leader, Mr. Yemi Ogunsanmi, Prince Bola Ogunmokun, Hon. Isola Ariyo and a good number of members of congregation of the Cathedral of St. John, Iloro, Ilesa.
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