Page 18 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 2

MONUMENTS in AFRIKA
ISSUE TWO | SEPT/OCT

First storey building in nigeria

badagry slave museum, lagos

This monument that marks the begining of Christianity in Nigeria reminds
one of the manger where Jesus was born in Bethlehem.It’s a wonder how
simplicity and sincerity always preceeds every mighty move of God on
earth. We only just have to see it for what it is.
By: Chioma Phillips

From the outside of this 177 year He and his family had been taken building features six large rooms,
old building, it’s difficult to imagine as slaves at the age of 12 and four stores, two large sitting rooms
the powerful history that it carries. sold to Portuguese slave traders, and a safe for storing valuables.
After all, it’s just a simple two- but, before their ship left the port, The toilets and bathrooms were
storey building, isn’t it? Basic and the British Royal Navy boarded it built outside the main structure.
simple in its construction. But, as and freed them. They were then The other facilities that stood
always with God, the external can taken to Freetown, where they on the same grounds as the first
never be the accurate judge of were resettled. There the young storey building, such as first
character. Samuel was taught to speak Anglican church, school, boarding
This is First Storey Building (or English, was educated, converted house and kitchen have all since
White House) in Badagry, a town baptized and sent to London for collapsed.
located between Lagos and the further instruction. He took the
Benin border at Seme. It is said to name Samuel Crowther after a In the same compound can be
be the first building with more than vicar who was a pioneer of the found a fresh water well known
one storey in Nigeria, although CMS. as Miracle Well. The locals say
some have made claims to the that the water in this well is known
contrary. Samuel Ajayi Crowther published for producing miraculous healings
The building has a fascinating a Yoruba grammar book, a Yoruba in those who drink its water. Dug
history. In 1842, in Freetown, version of the Anglican Book of around 1842, about the same
Sierra Leone, there were Africans Common Prayer and compiled time as the foundation for the First
from the Yoruba community who A Vocabulary of the Yoruba Storey Building. Despite its great
had been rescued from slavery. Language. He also worked on age, has not run dry and still
These desired to return to their Igbo and Nupe language projects. serves the local community.
country and made a Probably his most memorable There are accounts that state that
request to the Anglican Church work was the supervision of the First Storey Building was also a
Mission Society (CMS) that some translation of the Yoruba Bible sanctuary for slaves who had been
missionaries accompany them (Bibeli Mimo). The translation work freed, many of whom breathed
to Yoruba country. This opened was completed in the mid-1880s, their last there and that its halls
the way for a preliminary visit to shortly before his death a few are haunted with their ghosts.
Badagry and its surroundings, with years later. In this historic building, All I know is, this place was
a view to setting up a permanent a copy of the Yoruba Bible can be founded in an area where many
mission in Abeokuta and ultimately found alongside the first English Africans were taken forcibly away
led to the construction of this Bible. from their homes, sold off by other
building. Africans for mere trinkets. That it
It is said that its foundation was First Storey Building was also was founded by those who were
laid in 1842 - by a missionary from the vicarage of the St. Thomas standing against this tyranny and
CMS known as Henry Townsend - Anglican Church and home to working to put a stop to it. That it
possibly during a period of a Mr. Claudius Phillips, the first provided shelter for victims of this
waiting for access to Abeokuta western teacher in Nigeria. The trade and it also provided shelter
to be granted. The building was for those who were determined
completed three years later in to ensure that all would hear and
1845, offering shelter to the believe the Good News of the
missionaries of the CMS who Gospel of Jesus Christ.
hoped to spread the gospel deeper
within Yoruba territory.

The building served as home to the
first African Bishop in the Anglican
church, Samuel Ajayi Crowther.
18 HEALING - RESTORING - REBIRTHING - AFRICA