Until the year 2022, there was no Ghana Methodist Church in Hampton Roads area in Virginia, apart from a few other Christian Denominations. Hampton Roads area is a military dominated Community and so a lot of Ghanaians and other African Americans reside there. It became imperative that a Methodist church is planted in this area to extend a fellowship to our brethren living there.

 

The then Superintendent minister of the Washington circuit, The Very Rev. Moses Antwi sent delegates made up of Rev. David Baffour Akoto, Sis. Doris Akoto and Sister Francisca Nyarko to meet with Bro. Isaac Acquah and Sis. Barbara Acquah in Norfolk. This meeting was held on Saturday, June 11, 2022, between the hours of 10:30am to 1:30noon at Bro. Acquah’s residence at Norfolk 2525 Rush Street. A Lengthy discussion took place about the possibility of planting a Methodist church in Hampton Roads. A lot more discussions was undertaken by Bro. Acquah and Rev. Akoto regarding the location of the church. It was finally agreed that it should be in Norfolk because it is the center of all the Seven Cities making the Hampton Roads.

 

On Saturday, August 19, 2022, a meeting was held at Bro. Kofi’s residence at 17 prospect Pkay, Portsmouth, Virginia. The meeting comprised of the following members: The Very Rev. Moses Antwi, Rev. David Baffour Akoto, Evangelist DE graft Marfo, Bro. Baffour Amoateng, Sis. Doris Akoto, Sis. Francisca Nyarko, Bro. Isaac Acquah, Sis. Barbara Acquah and Bro. Evans Frimpong (Bruno).  It was decided that a zoom church service will begin.

 

The first zoom meeting was held on Sunday August 28, 2022, led by the Very Rev. Moses Antwi, which included the following members:

1.Rev. David Baffour Akoto (Minister in charge of Gaddiel Acquaah Memorial Methodist Alexandria.)

2.Sis. Doris Akoto

3.Sis. Francisca Nyarko

4.Bro. Isaac Acquah

5.Sis. Barbara Acquah

6.Bro. Evans Frimpong (Bruno)

 

Upon several deliberation and consultation on October 19, 2022, a decision on the name for the church was made and it was Dunwell. The Church was named after Reverend Joseph Rhodes Dunwell who was the pioneer Methodist Missionary who Landed in Cape Coast Ghana in the year 1835.

 

After having an online service for about 3 months, (August-November) there was the need to have a physical structure to meet for in-person Service. The following members: Bro. Isaac Acquah, Sis. Adwoa Essaba Essel- Akoli and Sis. Barbara Acquah took it upon themselves to get that structure in the Norfolk area.  Sis Adwoa Essel-Akoli who had fortunately from a duty tour of Europe with her family met with Bro. Acquah and participated actively in the search for the church. On September 29, 2022, Bro. Isaac Acquah and Sis. Adwoa Essel- Akoli had a meeting with the Trustees of the United Methodist Church, Norview Avenue 23513. They gave out their place for rent for $500 monthly, but our service would be during the afternoons after they have had their service in the morning. An agreement was made, and a lease was signed by the Circuit Executives on October 15, 2022.

 

In-person service began on November 6, 2022, which attracted several attendees. The first election took place on the same date to select leaders to lead the church.

 

 The attendees were:

1. V. Rev. Moses Antwi (the superintendent Minister)

2. Bro. Alex Adu (Diocesan lay chairman)

3. Bro. George Duncan (the circuit council Lay Chairman)

4. Bro. Isaac Acquah

5. Sis. Barbara Acquah

6. Sis. Adwoa- Essaba Essel- Akoli

7. Bro. Bernard Akoli

8. Bro. Evans Frimpong (Bruno)

9. Sis. Mary Bolfrey

10. Sis. Francisca Nyarko

11. Sis. Priscilla Boakye-Yiadom

12. Bro. Francis Sesi

 

 

Children Present:

1. Ayla Essel- Akoli

2. Aviad Akoli

3. Ivan Acquah

4. Ikelynn Acquah

5. Ezra Nyarko

 

Leaders Elected;

1. Bro. Isaac Acquah (Steward)

2. Sis. Adwoa- Essaba Essel Akoli (Steward)

3. Sis. Barbara Acquah (Children Service Teacher)

4. Sis. Francisca Nyarko (Women’s Leader)

5. Bro. Evans Frimpong (Men’s Leader)

 

TO BE CONT’d……………..