Draft:St Mary Catholic Church, Anlo Afiadenyigba

The St Mary Catholic Church at Anlo Afiadenyigba started in 1926. Some Catholics in Afiadenyigba who were already baptized witnessed the first mass at Dogbekofe in 1924 where Bishop Augustine Herman  baptized twenty-four converts. These people started attending church at Dogbekope. They came together to start a Catholic community at Anlo Afiadenyigba.

History
The converts started to worship in a house. The Society of African Mission (SMA) priests visited them on foot and continue to Dogbekope for mass occasionally. The SMA priests and the natives asked Torgbi Agbenu the regent chief of Afiadenyigbaga for land to build a chapel and a school. Some of the SMA white priests involved were Fr John Wagenakers, Fr John L, Fr Lubbers and Fr Van Barr. Torgbi Agbenu gave part of his farm for building the church and a primary school. When Torgbi Salu II, alias Efu Salu the first son of Agbenu Salu was enstooled in 1935 he continued to support through the growth of a catholic school which helped children enter the church. The Denu Parish was created in 1903 and Anlo Afiadenyigba became part of it. Priests from Denu came do offer the sacraments to parishioners. Some of the priests were Fr G Hebben, Fr Arnold Kotah, Fr Leonard Hope Hormeku, Fr Yohanese Dedo, Fr William Techie, Fr Anthony Asinyo, Fr Gustave Adzaho and Fr. Joseph Gbortu Agoha On 1st February 2011, Agbozume was created a quasi-parish serving Afiadenyigba.

On 1st September 2021, the Bishop Gabriel Edoe Kumordji made the church a parish by sending a resident priest to the church. The first priest is Rev Fr Francis Setriakor Geraldo. The new priest in charge is Fr. Peter Nanga

Church Choir
A church choir was formed in the 1970s. The first choir leader was Mr. Daniel Dzrogborwokpor alias 'Ampara'. The choir were initiated in 1995. Their good performance at mass and at other functions encouraged natives in Nigeria to donate choir robes to them. Among the donors were Mr. Forster Agbanyo, Mr. Stephen Dewodo, Mr. Jones Dakey, Mr. Ditchfield Amegashie, Mad. Fidelia Amegashie, Mr. David Kwashie Kudevo. Their leader was Mr. Selasi Nud Worgba. The robes were dedicated 1995. The current choir leader is Mr. Stephen Donkor. An organ was donated to the church by Hon Dan Abodakpi former Member of Parliament for the Keta Constituency.

Chapel Construction
The first chapel for was constructed with mud and sticks. During the flooding of the Keta Lagoon in the 1960, the building collapsed. Mr. Cletus Fiangor a native of Afiadenyigba who lived in Togo provided building materials to built a larger chapel in 1996-97. This was used for Mass on Sundays and as classroom on weekdays. This building developed cracks because it was roofed with asbestos sheets which were heavy. It gradually deteriorated and new aluminum sheets were used to roof it. However, the building has became weak and unsafe for use. Recently Mr. William Duwor from the Worgba family constructed the third chapel for the church. A residency for priests was attached to the Sacristy.

Church Catechists

 * Batholomew Dumashie
 * Master Agbenu
 * Gabriel Adelayita
 * Raphael Kwame Awunyo
 * James Agbeko

Priests and Religious from Afiadenyigba

 * Rev Fr Chistopher Vordzorgbe
 * Rev Fr Vincent Vordzorgbe
 * Rev Fr Moses Attah Debre
 * Rev Fr Mark Akpene Etse]
 * Rev Sr Marie Justine Attiogbe

Personalities from Church

 * John Klinogo     - Financial Consultant
 * Clemence Klinogo - Driver and Vehicle License Authority Tema
 * Emmanuel Salu    - Lecturer
 * Christian Azumah - Lawyer

Centenary Celebration
Preparations have started on the centenary celebration in 2026. A Centenary Planning Committee was inaugurated on 31st December 2023. Members include Geofrey Agbadi, Chairman. James Agbeko Secretary. Evelyn Esi Fiatorwogbor Assistant Secretary