The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN) has laid the foundation stone to erect a chapel and tourist centre to immortalise the late Mary Slessor, the Scottish Presbyterian missionary who stopped the killing of twins over 100 years ago.

The Prelate Emeritus of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Udo Ekpenyong, laid the foundation for the Mary Slessor Chapel and tourist centre on Thursday at Use Ikot Oku in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom.

Mr Ekpenyong said the 200-capacity sitting chapel was the beginning of a tourism complex, which would house other facilities for all Christians, lovers of God and adherents of the late missionary, popularly known as “Mma Slessor.”

He said the building of the chapel which was sponsored by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Glory Edet, was intended to be one of the structures that would immortalise Mma Slessor and her works in the community.

Mr Ekpenyong said the exercise was part of a legacy by the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria to propagate the name of the missionary.

“We are followers of Christ. Our amiable daughter, Dr Glory Edet, the Commissioner for Agriculture, has volunteered to build this chapel.

“We cannot give her the time limit. She has set time for herself and the resources that would come from it.

“The chapel would benefit not only the immediate community but the world at large. People would come from far and near to pray and God would hear their prayers as He heard the prayers of Mary Slessor.

“We rejoice as a church and we thank one of our daughters for coming to our aid. Whosoever comes here to pray, God will answer his or her prayers in Jesus’ name,” he said.

Also speaking, a Trustee of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Rita Ekanem, said the long-overdue project was a starting point of good things.

Mrs Ekanem said that the chapel was going to be a prayer booth for all Christians.

According to her, the life of Mary Slessor was sacrificial, a life of prayer, hence the need to sustain her legacies.

The pastor in charge of the Presbyterian Church, Reverend Umoren Ekpenyong, said the project was historic and came at the right time, adding that the church was foreseeing the place as a village in future.

“It is the vision of the Church that this place is turned to Mary Slessor Village.

“It means we are going to have other infrastructures like a library and accommodation for people who come here to pray or to know more about the place or late Mary Slessor,” he said.

(NAN)