Rt. Revd. Adelakun Howells

Rt. Revd. Adelakun Howells (1955 â 1963)
The Rt. Rev. Adelakun W. Howells " was born in the Vicarage of St. John's Church Aroloya, Lagos. The great Howells was highly privileged with his track of educational records which began with the rare opportunity of attending a private Nursery and Primary School in Central Lagos before proceeding to CMS Grammar School and King's College both in Lagos; Fourah Bay College Sierra Leone where he later graduated in 1927 with a BA (Durham) degree in Arts and Theology. Between 1928 and 1933. Howells II added his Master of Arts (M.A.) and Bachelor of Divinity (BD) degrees, while he was still serving as Tutor at the Theological Seminary of the Diocese on the Niger. His father was the Rt. Reverend Adolphus Howells, one time Assistant Bishop of Lagos.

He got married in 1931 to former Miss Aduke Daniel and was also admitted to the Priesthood the same year.

At the time under reference, the Rev. Adelakun Howells was always in and out of the church's mainstream and the academia. Shuttling between St. Bartholomew's Church, Enugu, Abeokuta Grammar School, St. John's Church Aroloya (his birth place and father's former station) where he was serving as Vicar, and Fourah Bay College Sierra Leone (his alma mater) where he served meritoriously until he was appointed Vice Principal.

From that lofty position, Rev. A. W. Howells II was appointed Canon Residentiary of the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina Lagos and later Provost and Assistant Bishop of Lagos.

During his tenure, the Cathedral Missionary Society came into being on 20th February 1949 and nurtured many Youth Groups which were formed and became rallying points for young people. The Cathedral Church magazine - "BY THE LAGOON" was also debuted at the time. Howells II was one of the few men of his age who had the exceptional privilege of an all round and sound education. He served on the British Red Cross, the Boys' Scouts Association and the Boards of Governors of many of the prominent Schools of the time as Chairman. He also served with considerable experience in many of the Cathedrals. While in England, and attended several international meetings, seminars and conferences across the globe. He therefore had no difficulty bringing those rich and varied experiences to bear on the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos.

His royal ancestry is traceable to the fact that his father was a Priest and later Assistant Bishop. His maternal grandfather was the Rt. Rev. S. C. Phillips (Senior) also an Assistant Bishop. His maternal uncle was Archdeacon S. C. Phillips (Junior) who was at one time appointed Vicar-General of a vacant See with the Church of Nigeria, while another uncle of his - Dr. T. K. E. Phillips served as Organist and Master of the Music of the same Cathedral Church of Christ for 46 years. Interestingly still, the wife of Dr. T. K. E. Phillips was the daughter of Rt. Rev. Isaac Oluwole - another Assistant Bishop. Indeed it is a full circle, and an excellent illustration of being the "son of the Bridegroom's Chamber" in a Diocese like Lagos.