EFFECTS OF INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION ON ECCLESIASTICAL ARCHITECTURE IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF FAITH TABERNACLE AT OTA

The historical process that led to the development of ecclesiastical architecture in Nigeria relied on a number of factors and industrial revolution one of these factors. This study examined the effect of industrial revolution on ecclesiastical architecture in Nigeria with a view to identifying the new technologies and materials that were employed. Faith Tabernacle at Ota became one of the best cases to study because it was acclaimed the largest church auditorium by the Guinness Book of World Records in January 2008 and arguably one of the ecclesiastical engineering wonders of the age in twentieth century. Since the study was historical in nature, qualitative methods in form of literature, non-participant method in case study and unstructured interview were employed in gathering the data and content analysis with descriptions were used in analysis. The findings showed that the need for unobstructed viewing spaces, quest for its own time, globalization and new theology with liturgy warranted the desire to embrace industrial revolution. New technologies like framed structures, use of machinery and new construction methods emerged. New materials like concrete, timber, steel sections for columns and beams, different forms of glass, vitrified tiles and aluminium were introduced. The study concluded that ecclesiastical architecture in Nigeria has had its own fair share of the effect of industrial revolution.