It was not until 1885 that a mission station, St. Andrew's church, Bakana was founded under the supervision of Rev. Garrick, who wasted no time in spreading the good message to Abonnema. The beginning though humble, was so encouraging that Archdeacon D. Crowther, hearing of the progress of the new Church, establish a parish in 1889 under the charge of Rev. Carew, who did acquire the present site f
or the mission. Augustine's Church, Abonnema from Chief Orubibi Douglas and Chief Tatayoyo Black-Duke. Church members grew steadily in Abonnema. But for the brief period of disruption arising from the ''Garick Braide Movement" the Anglican mission had made reasonable progress in Kalabari District and for the most of the 20th Century, St. Augustine's Church, Abonnema had remained the headquarters and the leader of the District. The Church has grown steadily over the years. Today, St. Augustine is the headquarter of Kalabari Central Archdeaconry. It also hosted the the 18th Synod of the Niger Delta Diocese on Thursday 24th - Sunday 27th April, 2003. May God continue to manifest himself in this very spiritually rich Church with a dedicated and selfless body of Christians. The Church has consolidated on her past gains to plant new churches and strengthen up older ones. Augustine's Church, under the leadership of the vicar, Ven. Rufus Tamunotonye Etire, JP, is trusting God to continue to make her maintain her leadership position in the Kalabari area and in the Diocese of the Niger Delta and be a strong voice for the Lord on local, national and international issues.
