Reverend Fred Ogunfiditimi
Reverend Fred Ogunfiditimi is pastor of the International House of Prayer for All People, one of
several churches in the Washington, D.C. area organized by African immigrants in this country.
Like churches started by African Americans who migrated from the Southernmost United States
to Washington, D.C. in the 1920s, '30s and '40s, African immigrants organize houses of worship
which are branches of churches in their home country. These churches often serve for many in
their congregations as the first step in building community in America . In addition to taking care
of the spiritual needs of the community, the church also supports its members' families in finding
work, shelter, companionship and financial support as they adjust to life in a new land.
The International House of Prayer for All People is part of an independent religious
movement, based in Nigeria. Started in Lagos, Nigeria's capital city in the early part of this
century, members of the mostly Yoruba- and English-speaking church call themselves "Cherubim
and Seraphim"; they are known to others as "Aladura" (the Prayerists.) Worship services and
sacred celebrations contain elements of Yoruba language, music, dance, traditional knowledge
and Christian belief.
[African Immigrant Folklife Study project] [CFCH
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21 April 1996