Complex sentence: It took them about 13 years to build a formidable base before a parish was finally birthed in 1897-a parish was opened for the spread of the gospel and westernisation of our people !
Split into simpler sentences: It took them about 13 years to build a formidable base before a parish was finally birthed in 1897. There was a break through-a parish was opened for the spread of the gospel and westernisation of our people!