Early Missionaries remembered in Bugotu

COMMUNITIES around Bugotu district in Isabel marked the dedication of a new Cross monument in remembrance of the three pioneer Missionaries who first brought the Good News about Jesus Christ to the island of Isabel.

Archbishop of Melanesia the Most Rev’d David Vunagi during his tour to the Diocese of Ysabel early last week dedicated the newly built Cross to commemorate the first three missionaries namely, Priest George Henry Andrews who is also a Doctor, Henry Welchman and Priest Rudolph Sprott beside their grave at Maranatabu, Isabel.

The three Missionaries left England in around 1800s when Bishop Selwyn return to England and talked about the need for more Missionaries to visit the Melanesian world.

Honoring the call to come and convert people into Christianity in Isabel, the three begin work at Maranatabu and worked very closely with the chiefs in the Island.

On that note, they converted the first Paramount Chief in Isabel Mr. Manilou Soga and later Ellison Gito, Lonsdale Bojohofi and Lonsdale Lago. The Missionaries converted the chiefs who in turn converted their people to accept the Christian Faith and the gospel about Jesus Christ in the island of Isabel. 

Later when Christianity begun to grow in Isabel and proper trainings were carried out to the locals, Hugo Hebala became the first Reverend in the Island of Isabel.