Our History

Our Church History

SS Thomas More and John Fisher Catholic Church

A Vibrant place of Faith, Worship, and Community

Learn how far we have come

Our History Timeline

October 1924

Early Beginning

The St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Achimota, Accra, traces its origins to the posting of Roman Catholic priests to the Achimota School.

1934

First Priest of Achimota School

Rev. Fr. Andrew van der Bronk, SMA (later Bishop of Kumasi) was posted to the Achimota School. He was in residence at the Sacred Heart Parish, Derby Avenue

1938

Handing over to the SVD Missionaries

Propaganda Fides in Rome, requested the SMA to hand over the management of the Roman Catholic Church in the Accra Area to the SVD.

1940

Residency from Derby Avenue to Achimota School.

Fr. Harold Rigney, SVD an American was assigned an official bungalow on the School campus as a tutor

1947

The role of Achimota School

The Achimota School was an important post for the Church and efforts were made to retain a Catholic Priest at the school all the time. Rev. Fr. Leslie Hartfield, SVD, an Englishman and former Army Chaplain became the next priest posted to the school in the 1947 academic year.

1947

Naming of the Church

Rev. Fr. Leslie Hartfield, SVD, used a disused armory for the growing community of workers and other nearby inhabitants such as Anumle, Kissehman, Achimota, Legon, etc. as a Church. He was instrumental in naming the new premises St. Thomas More Church.

June 22, 1947

First Mass

The First Mass to dedicate the Church was celebrated in the Disused Amoury.

1970

First Diocesan Priest

Rev. Fr. Joseph Addy became the first diocesan priest to serve as the Catholic chaplain of Achimota School and priest in charge of the St. Thomas More Church Community,

1982

Second Diocesan Priest

Rev. Fr. Samuel Batsa took over as Catholic chaplain of Achimota School and priest in charge from 1982 to 1984

1984

Third Diocesan Priest

Rev. Fr. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle served from 1984 to 1992 until he was appointed Bishop of the newly created Diocese of Koforidua. The old church structure was renovated and redesigned during this period to accommodate the growing numbers

1992

Fourth Diocesan Priest

Fr. Thaddeus Nelson Adjakpey was appointed as Catholic chaplain of Achimota School in 1992 and subsequently became the priest in charge until 2000. The St. Thomas More Church Community was then put under the pastoral care of St. Francis Xavier Parish, Kotobabi.

2000

The Formation of St John Fisher

Fr. Seth Arwo-Doqu became the priest in charge from 2000 to 2003. He worked with Frs. Edmund Donkor-Baine, Henry Frimpong, and Dominic Amegashiti. It was during his tenure that the construction of the St. John Fisher Chapel in New Achimota began. Fr. Arwo-Doqu was instrumental in the ongoing land case.

2003 to Date

The Transformation of the Church

This Period saw the following; Fr. Isaac Maunger (2003 - 2006), Rev. Fr. Benjamin Ohene (2006 -2011) was appointed as tutor and Catholic chaplain of Achimota School, Fr. George Obeng Appah (2011 - 2024) as tutor, Catholic chaplain of Achimota School, and priest in charge of the St. Thomas More Church.

2015

Completion of St John Fisher Catholic Church

The St. John Fisher Chapel was completed in 2015 and dedicated by Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle.

February 2021

Attaining Parish Status

Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie raised the St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher Church to parish status. Consequently, Rev. Fr. George Obeng Appah became the inaugural parish priest of the newly erected parish.