Celebrating 90 Years of Anglican Mission in The Gambia
From 28 May to 2 June 2025, celebrations were held in The Gambia to mark 90 years of the Anglican Church in the country, with key leaders gathering for fellowship and reflection. Fran Mate, Senior Regional Manager for Africa, shared in fellowship with the House of Bishops of the Internal Province of West Africa (IpWA) including His Grace Boston Jacque and Bishops Kojo Baiden (The Gambia), James (Liberia), Dibo (Cameroon), Thomas (Sierra Leone), His Grace Boston (Guinea), and Solomon (Boo).
Alongside the celebrations, the bishops met to reflect on shared priorities such as self-sustainability, youth leadership, and preparations for IpWA’s transition to a full province in 2027 – deepening their partnership with USPG and renewing a collective vision for mission across West Africa.
To mark the 90th anniversary, His Grace, Archbishop Jacque Boston and all the bishops of the Internal Province of West Africa joined the consecration and dedication of a new church: St. Andrew’s church in the Diocese of Banjulinding, built and furnished by the parishioners. The occasion was a joyful celebration of what the Lord has done, with events including a diocesan choir music festival at Christ Church and a sponsored ‘walk for health’.
His Grace Jacque Boston – Archbishop of the Internal Province of West Africa delivering a homily at the Dedication and Consecration of the newly built St. Andrew’s Parish Church in Banjulinding.
The choir in action
Reflecting on the 90 years of Anglican presence in The Gambia, The Rt Revd St Obed Arist Kojo Baiden, Bishop of The Gambia, spoke humbly:
Through it all, the Spirit has moved in mysterious ways. We have walked in time, but we have listened to the Divine Order.
Bishop Obed continued: “as we mark 90 years of witness and worship, let us look forward in faith. The next chapter of our Diocese is not to be written in fear or fatigue, but in boldness and renewal.
We must rise again to the calling of Ascension Day – to lift our eyes to heaven and let the power of the risen Christ guide every step as we evangelise and work to expand the Kingdom of God.
Bishop Kojo Obed, originally from Ghana, is a beneficiary of USPG’s Exchanging Places programme, which allows partner churches to share expertise, experience, and resources by sending and receiving mission personnel.
History: USPG & The Gambia
The Anglican Diocese of Gambia is part of the wider Church of the Province of West Africa as well as the internal province of West Africa which comprises of five dioceses (Gambia, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea). USPG has walked with this province since its establishment by helping to strengthen its mission through setting up a coordinating office, developing strategies, fostering youth leadership, promoting economic independence, and enhancing governance.
St. Mary’s Church, the oldest Anglican church in The Gambia, was founded in 1900. It wasn’t until 1935, that the Diocese of Gambia and Guinea (as it was known at the time) was established. Remarkably, the Anglican diocese of Gambia was formed on Ascension Day in response to the call of the ascended Christ:
You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8
That witness has been faithfully borne across 90 years in this Cathedral Church of St Mary and other Parishes, in mission schools and clinics, in the provinces and urban centres, and across riverbanks and bustling markets. The Church in The Gambia also remains committed to social justice, interfaith harmony, and community development. In a nation proud of its religious tolerance, the Anglican Diocese has served as a bridge-builder – partnering with Muslim brothers and sisters in peace initiatives and walking alongside fellow Christians in ecumenical unity through the Gambia Christian Council.