St Martins Of Tours Catholic Church Consecrated

Most Rev Charles G. Palmer Buckle, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, has consecrated the St Martins of Tours Catholic Church at Teshie Camp in Accra, and advised members to be committed to the works of Christ.

He dedicated the new chapel to God for His momentous works, which would touch thousands of lives.

A statement signed by Colonel E. Aggrey Quashie, the Director of Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said on Monday.

Most Rev Buckle commended Rev Father Lt. Col Winfred Delali Kodzo Sraha, the Church Pastoral Council, individuals and the whole church community who worked hard in the construction of the beautiful temple.

He said: 'We have done this so that God may be worshipped, that His name be known, that His name will be planted and through the on-going transformation of the people, and bring light to the world.'

The Archbishop advised the church to be determined and hold fast to the principles of God's work, be selfless, exhibit love and sacrifice themselves even to the point of dying for another.

Lieutenant General O.B. Akwa, the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) thanked the Archbishop of Accra and lauded the clergy and the members of the Church for putting up the edifice.

He entreated the people to be evangelistic everywhere they found themselves, abide by the word of God, and be mindful of false prophets, false teachings and practices.

The CDS, together with his Service Chiefs, presented GH¢10,000.00 to support the purchase of additional pews, parish hall/washroom and ceiling projects.

Brigadier General Nicholas Peter Andoh, the Chairman of the Planning Committee of the Church, in his opening remarks, said it took almost 26 years of determined and concerted efforts by members to build the befitting temple for Christians in the Camp and its catchments area.

He said: 'It is most gratifying to reflect on the sacrifices and voluntary contributions that members of the congregation had made towards the building of the great Cathedral to the glory of God,' adding that the 3,000 seating capacity edifice was an attestation to God's blessings and favour on the Church.

Brig. Gen. Andoh said the Cathedral would be used for Military functions and church parades and services for officer cadets at the Ghana Military Academy and Training Schools.

The genesis of the St Martin of Tours Catholic Church is traceable to the movement of the West Africa Command Clerks Training School from Kibi to Teshie in 1944.

The Catholic Community in Teshie Camp was pastorally administered by the Society of African Missionaries from Cape Coast.

Roman Catholic Priests occasionally visited the Clerks Training School for Padre Hours and celebrated the Holy Eucharist on Sundays.

The Church's former place of worship, until November 11, 2009, was an old Cinema Hall converted into a Non-Denominational Chapel (Garrison Chapel).

The sod cutting was done in 1992 by the late Archbishop Dominic Kodwo Andoh whilst the actual construction started in October, 1996.