Sale’aumua celebrates new Church beginning

By Ilia L Likou 30 June 2016, 12:00AM

The 117-year-old Sale’aumua Catholic Church building has been given a new lease of life thanks to a $750,000 facelift which was officially opened yesterday.

The blessing service was led by Archbishop Alapati Lui Mataeliga.

Among the special guests were the Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi and Masiofo, Her Highness Filifilia Tamasese and some members of Parliament. 

Representative of the church and the village’s Member of Parliament, Tafua Maluelue Tafua, said the occasion was a joyous moment for everyone involved in the project.

 “The church is made up of 24 families (mātāfale) and throughout the whole project we worked together, side by side in building the Temple of God,” he said.

“Not forgetting our children overseas in countries like New Zealand, Australia, America who contribute financially to our new church building.  We thank you all for everything and may the glory be unto God.”

The church was established in 1889 when some French Catholic missionaries arrived in Sale’aumua.

“In 1959, the church building was demolished and rebuilt,” High chief Saleaumua Tafua said.

 “This is the third time that our church has been rebuilt and renovated from its original structure. “My great-great-great grandfather, Tafua Fa’aususu and some elders of the village back in the days offered a piece of land where the school for Taupou-Sa was built and where the church is located now.”

By Ilia L Likou 30 June 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>