It is believed that the hermitage of Saint John the Baptist is mediaeval in origin and probably dates back to the 12th century when Christians were given permission to build a church by the Wali (Arab governor) of Lagos around 1174 AD. The only stipulation given was that the building had to be constructed outside the town limits. The hermitage was rebuilt in the 18th century, in the wake of destruction caused by the 1755 earthquake. The interior includes fine gilded woodwork in the main chapel.
