Henry Townsend (missionary)
Encyclopedia
Henry Townsend was an Anglican missionary
in Nigeria
. Ordained in England in 1842, Townsend set off for Sierra Leone, landing there that same year. After working there only a few months, he was transferred to the Yoruba
mission.
From 1846 to 1867, he based his mission in Abeokuta
. According to Ajisafe, he was the first European person to enter Abeokuta, arriving there on the 4th January, 1843 and was 'given a grand reception' (Ajisafe 1924: 85). Working with Samuel Crowther
, a Yoruba Anglican priest, Townsend wrote several hymn
s in Yoruba and aided in the compilation of Crowther's Yoruba primer. He retired in 1876.
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
in Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
. Ordained in England in 1842, Townsend set off for Sierra Leone, landing there that same year. After working there only a few months, he was transferred to the Yoruba
Yoruba people
The Yoruba people are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. The majority of the Yoruba speak the Yoruba language...
mission.
From 1846 to 1867, he based his mission in Abeokuta
Abeokuta
Abeokuta is the largest city and capital of Ogun State in southwest Nigeria and is situated at , on the Ogun River; 64 miles north of Lagos by railway, or 81 miles by water. As of 2005, Abeokuta and the surrounding area had a population of 593,140....
. According to Ajisafe, he was the first European person to enter Abeokuta, arriving there on the 4th January, 1843 and was 'given a grand reception' (Ajisafe 1924: 85). Working with Samuel Crowther
Samuel Ajayi Crowther
Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther was a linguist and the first African Anglican bishop in Nigeria. Born in Osogun , Rev. Dr...
, a Yoruba Anglican priest, Townsend wrote several hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
s in Yoruba and aided in the compilation of Crowther's Yoruba primer. He retired in 1876.