First General Superintendent
Prophetess Christianah Olatunrinde
(Spiritual Deborah)
1936 – 1941
Founded the Cherubim and Seraphim Society, Ogo Olorun, Ondo in 1927 and was unanimously elected the first General Superintendent (Iya Alakoso) in 1936.
Church History
From 1925 to the nations
The story of a movement of prayer that grew from Western Nigeria into a worldwide church.
Founding & establishment
Our journey of faith
The Church operated as the Western Conference under the founder before the misunderstanding in Lagos, and has since grown under six General Superintendents.
- 1925
The movement begins
The Sacred Cherubim and Seraphim Church from its onset in 1925 was part of the first Pentecostal movement in Nigeria, founded by Moses Orimolade Tunolase, a native of Ikare in present-day Ondo State. The movement spread across Ikeja, Agege, Badagry, Ikorodu and Epe, and across present-day Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Delta, Edo and parts of Bayelsa.
- 1927
Ogo Olorun, Ondo
Through the labours of Prophetess Christianah Olatunrinde, the Cherubim and Seraphim Society, Ogo Olorun, 20 Barracks Road, Ondo was established on 28th May, 1927. The same year, Williams Folarin Sosan joined the Society at Isabo, Abeokuta.
- 1929
Keeping the flag flying
During a period of division, Pa W.F. Sosan brought the seat of the Society to his house at Okejigbo, Abeokuta, and worked with other Elders to resolve the dispute.
- 1931
The Western Conference
Members from the hinterland assembled at Ile-Ife and formed the Western Conference (now the General Conference). Pa W.F. Sosan was elected its first Chairman.
- 1936
The first General Superintendent
Prophetess Christianah Olatunrinde was unanimously elected the first General Superintendent (Iya Alakoso) of the Sacred Cherubim and Seraphim Society, now Church.
- 1941
Baba Alakoso Sosan
Venerable W.F. Sosan was anointed General Superintendent on 29th July, 1941 and led the Church for thirteen years.
- 1958
Venerable J.A. Philips
One of the seventy disciples of Baba Aladura Orimolade, he was elected General Superintendent and spread the gospel to Yoruba, Hausa, Soso and Ibo towns.
- To 1981
A constitution and a women's fellowship
Under Most Elder Apostle Ayodele Abiola the first Constitution was made, the Good Women Association was established and the Church grew to 18 parishes.
- 1982
Growth across nations
Most Elder Apostle/Prophet J.A.O. Omole, anointed on 28th November 1982, built the General Conference Secretariat at Orita Basorun, grew the Church from eighteen to two hundred parishes and created sub-conferences within and outside Nigeria.
- Today
A worldwide church
In Nigeria alone there are some 1,000 assemblies of parishes and branches, with sub-conferences in Ghana and the United States of America. The creation of a sub-conference in the United Kingdom is now being considered.
Of blessed memory
Past General Superintendents
The foundation on which the present leadership builds.
Second General Superintendent
Venerable Williams Folarin Sosan
1941 – 1957
First Chairman of the Western Conference (now General Conference) formed at Ile-Ife in 1931; anointed General Superintendent (Baba Alakoso) on 29th July, 1941.
Third General Superintendent
Venerable James Akinwunmi Philips
1958 – 1961
One of the seventy disciples of Baba Aladura Orimolade; spread the Church at Agege and across Yoruba, Hausa, Soso and Ibo towns.
Fourth General Superintendent
Most Elder Apostle Ayodele Abiola
Until 1981
Instrumental to the first Constitution of the Church; the Good Women Association was established during his reign.
Fifth General Superintendent
Most Elder Apostle/Prophet J.A.O. Omole, J.P.
1982 – 1994
Built the General Conference Secretariat at Orita Basorun and grew the Church from eighteen to two hundred parishes.