Our Founder

Saint Moses Orimolade Tunolase was born in Ikare in the year 1879. He was the third out of the six children from his mother Madam Abigail Odijorotan Tunolase. Ironically, his father Pa Tunolase was a native doctor.  From the moment Odijorotan conceived her third child she saw several signs and indications that this child she would bring forth would not be an ordinary child. While in the womb, Odijorotan noticed that the baby in her womb do talk and gave her a helping hand at the farm to lift up firewood and placed it on her head. At birth the child stood up and attempted to walk. The midwife was terribly stunned, pull him down and placed her foot on the feet of the new born child to prevent him from moving. All these efforts made by the midwife and his father to stop him walk at birth caused injuries to his leg and he had difficulty in walking. His family and the whole town could not comprehend his mysterious birth and the strange things that happened during his childhood days.

Hardly had the excitement aroused by the incidents experienced at his birth subsided that he became the centre of attention again. This time the scene was in the only Church in town, Ikare, St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, which belonged to the C. M. S. Mission. The minister of the Church, Rev. J. K. Ayaji-Ajagbe, was attracted to the scene on this particular night by an apparent illumination of the Church interior, and by the melodious songs that was going on there. It was puzzling to him that anyone could be using the building at that time of the night without his knowledge. He decided to investigate and the door opened of its own volition. To his great amazement, the whole building was empty except for a small-child of about eight years sitting on the floor in a kind of bright phosphorescent illumination. It occurred to the shocked minister that the child singing as it were a host of heaven was Orimolade. As a result of this encounter, the minister persuaded his congregation to employ Orimolade to teach them some spiritual songs with the hope of seeing the angels that sang with him. The boy obliged and taught them a few religious songs, but they soon gave up because there was “no light and there were no voices of angels singing with him”. The said Rev. J. K. Ayaji-Ajagbe later preached publicly in the name of C & S.

Orimolade became disillusioned by the unco-operative attitude of the Christians in Ikare, especially because they ridiculed him on account of his disability. He felt apprehensive about the success of his mission since it appeared likely that he would have to carry his cross with his physical challenge. Overwhelmed by this thought, he prayed passionately one night, asking for manifestation of God’s power in his ministry. In answer to this prayer, an angel of God appeared to him in a dream and gave him three objects: a Rod, Royal Insignia and Crown. The rod signified “staff of victory”; the insignia was “the power of efficacy of prayer and speaking”; and the crown stood for “honour and respect”. In his dream he was taught by the Holy Spirit how to read and memorize the Holy Bible.

After this encounter, Orimolade began his missionary journey in 1915. He left Ikare and his missionary journey took him to Lokoja, Jos, Zaria, Kano and later down to Ilorin, Oshogbo until he arrived Lagos in July 1924. He first stayed at Ebute Ero Anglican C. M.S. Church personage, Lagos. From where he moved in September to the farm plantation of Chief J. K. Coker, the founder of the African Church at Agege. In December 1924 he moved to the residence of Chief J. K. Coker at No. 10 Balogun Square, Lagos. He did many miraculous things that neutralized the evil works of witches and wizards, masqueraders, herbalists through the preaching of the gospel. He intensified his preaching of the gospel in Lagos and quoted the Holy Bible freely to the amazement of his followers who had grown to large number.

On 10^th May 1925, Orimolade moved from 10 Balogun Square, Lagos to a more spacious place at Kester Lane in Agoshofin, Lagos the residence of Alhaji Momo Giwa where he continued his spiritual works with his group who were known as “Egbe Aladura”.

On 18^th June 2025, Miss Christiana Abiodun Akinsowon went to Campus Square to watch the annual “Corpus Christi by the Roman Catholic Church”. While she fixed her eyes on the chalice carried by the Roman Catholic Bishop she fell into trance and was unconscious for days. No one could cure her and she divinely revealed that Baba Moses Orimolade should be invited. Her guardians, Mr. Hunnu Moite and Mrs. Malomo (Iya Ibeji) went and pleaded with Baba Orimolade to come and heal her who was ill as a result of the strange being she saw. She was healed and she became one of the followers and spiritual daughter of Baba Moses Orimolade Tunolase. The number of his followers increased and it became necessary to name the Organisation. On the 9^th of September 1925, after the members had fasted and prayed for three days concerning the name that would be given to the church, at about 9am on that day at Agoshofin, Lagos the founder named the Christian Organisation “the Band of SERAPH”. On 29^th of September 1925, Baba Orimolade named “HOLY MICHAEL” as Captain of the Holy Order. On 26^th day of March, 1926 the name “CHERUB” was added. It became known as “Cherubim and Seraphim Band”. The Holy Order spread very quickly and was opened at Ebute-Metta (November 1925); Agege and Egba District (February 1926); Shagamu (March 1926); Ijebu- Ode, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Oshogbo and Ondo (April 1927); Ile-Ife and Ijabe (1928); and Ilaje (December 1929).

Baba Orimolade organized the praying Band on 13^th December 1925. In 1926, Baba organized the Twelve Patriarchs (Baba Nla Mejila Band), Army of Salvation Band, the Esther Band, and Fogo Olorun Han Band. On 27^th November 1927 Baba selected 70 disciples - 45 brothers and 25 sisters. The Martha and Mary Bands were organized by Baba in 1928.

On 8^th March 1929, Baba Orimolade took Miss Christiana Abiodun Akinsowon to the Police station to separate her as member of the Holy Order due to her rude behaviour and being engineered to be recognised as co-founder which was declined by the founder.

On 27^th May 1929, Ita Balogun branch under Late Elder E. A Davies broke away from the Holy Order.

Baba Aladura Moses Orimolade later ordained the Aladura with special designed three corner caps in 1930. Various crowns have thereafter been designed for the Elders of the Holy Order.

On the 20^th August 1931 Baba named “HOLY GABRIEL” as Vice-Captain of the Holy Order.

During this period, Baba moved from one place to another living with different people. From the time the Holy Order was named in 1925, when he was living with Momo Giwa at Aghosofin, he went to live in the house of Mr. Holloway at Martins Street in June 1926. In April 1927, he moved to the house of W. A. Dawodu at Egerton Road. By October1928, Baba moved to the house of Ezekiel Davies at Balogun Street where he lived until May 1929 when he moved to Offin Canal as a result of the dispute. He left there to live at No. 42 Daddy Alaja in September 1929 where he lived for 4 years.

Notwithstanding all these movements, Baba Aladura Moses Orimolade was able to register the Holy Order under Company Ordinance Cap. 18 as RC. 316 on the 14^th February 1930.

In December 1931, Baba ordained the first Three-Titled Mothers - Mrs. A. Bickerseth as Mother Seraph; Mrs. R. Johnson as Mother Cherub; and Mrs. M. I. Adeoye as Mother Captain in place of Miss Abiodun who had been separated from the Church. In December 1931, the Holy Order won a court case restraining the Praying Band Ita Balogun from bearing the name Cherubim and Seraphim. The Holy Order however has continued to spread across the land having established at Epe (June 1930), Ajase, Shaki and Oke Ogun (Sept. 1933).

Orimolade departed Daddy Alaja in September 1933 for Ojokoro. He lived briefly at Osholake Street, Ebute- Metta on his way to Ojokoro. Baba finally moved on the 5^th October, 1933 to Ojokoro farm of Late Revd. D. J. Oguntolu.

On 11^th of October, 1933 Baba blessed Onanuga and wore him one of his garments and showed him as his able successor. On Thursday, 19^th October 1933, at 3:00am in the midst of his disciples, Baba breathe his last breath and was laid to rest at Ojokoro on 20^th October, 1933.