Aladura is a classification of church that abides by a Christian religious denomination or trend founded in 1918 in Western Nigeria by 5 people [Olowe], with over 3 million adherents worldwide.
“Aladura” means “Praying People” in Yoruba.
Churches known as Aladura churches emphasize the power in praying and believe in faith healing and various elements associated with Pentecostalism. Most of the founders of the churches were associated with Anglicanism, though some Methodists joined the movement as well. The churches despise the power of traditional African religion, because they deem that power to be basically malign. Therefore they sometimes burn cult images as “idols” and oppose both polygamy and witchcraft. Unlike Kimbanguism, the churches tend to avoid politics and focus instead on the “holiness movement”.
Aladura Movement started at Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria in 1918. This movement later converted to Faith Tabernacle and finally to Christ Apostolic Church. Today, many churches in Western Nigeria can be correctly called “Aladura”.
