Tengbeh Town, Freetown – February 12, 2026: A historic milestone was marked in Tengbeh Town as the Rt. Rev. Thomas A. I. Wilson, Bishop of Freetown, officially turned the sod for the construction of St. Luke’s Anglican Church. The ceremony signaled the beginning of a new spiritual chapter for the Diocese of Freetown and the local community.
In his address, Bishop Wilson emphasized that the Church is more than bricks and mortar—it is a living body called to worship, serve, and transform communities. He described church planting as an act of hope, affirming that building a church declares the value of the community and the importance of anchoring future generations in Christ.
“When we build a church, we are declaring that this community matters. We are affirming that the next generation matters. We are proclaiming that the Word of God must remain central in our neighbourhoods,” said Rt. Rev. Thomas A. I. Wilson
The Diocese of Freetown has prioritized extending Christ’s presence into new areas, particularly where young people seek guidance and children need grounding in faith. St. Luke’s Anglican Church is envisioned as a center of worship, outreach, and community strengthening, ensuring that the Gospel remains accessible and active.
Bishop Wilson reminded the congregation that a church is never built by one person alone but through prayer, sacrifice, generosity, and shared commitment. The sod-turning was not only a ceremonial act but also a call to collective responsibility in supporting the vision spiritually, financially, and practically.
As construction begins, the Diocese anticipates that St. Luke’s will soon become a place where prayers rise, lives are shaped through baptism, confirmation, and Holy Communion, and communities are transformed. The symbolic breaking of ground was likened to fresh soil ready to bear fruit for generations.
The Diocese expressed hope that this milestone will be the beginning of many more parishes in its ongoing mission to strengthen Anglican witness across Sierra Leone.