This is truly a unique story. It’s sincerely so apparent it looks as if it can neither be denied nor ignored. It all began in Sydney, Australia, on 31 July 1994, when the Sydney Congregational Christian Church, signed an agreement with a Samoan Church, that had just been established there. 

The agreement apparently ensured that the newly established Samoan Church, would use the Sydney Church’s premises to conduct its services until such a time, when the latter would have built its own church.

As it turned out though, that time came in 1998, and the founding Leader of the Samoan Church then, was Reverend Taeipo Malifa.

He is still the Leader of that Church today.

Back then though, under his leadership, his congregation bought their first house on 72 Chapel Street, Belmore NSW, in 1998, and that house became their first church.  

Later in 2005, they bought a piece of land on 777 Forest Road, Lugarno NSW, where their new church was located on a 1/2 acre piece of land, and it is still there today.

In addition, there are two small halls at the rear that can house 50 people each, as well as the Lugarno Baptist Church, that cost $2.1 million in 2005.

Now the question is: Where did that money come from?

Answer: From the Samoan families who are calling Belmore NSW, home.  

Still, plans to upgrade the church’s hall into a two story building are underway, with the estimated year of completion, that has already being announced as 2012. 

But why is it that we think this story is so unique it can neither be denied nor ignored?    

Well, perhaps the reason is out there somewhere, and that one of these days, it would reveal itself.

In the meantime, perhaps we should look at the Samoan Congregational Church in Sydney, for guidance and help. 

According to Reverend Taeipo Malifa, the membership of the EFKS Church in Sydney is made up a group of serious, dedicated individuals. 

Established in 1983, the church was headed by the Senior Pastor, Susuga Toea’ina Keti Magalo, who chose him to be a Senior Reverend,  in 1994.

Reverend Taeipo said the congregation was made up of decent, hard-working Individuals, who were devoted to their church and for that very reason, they would carry out their responsibilities to the best of their abilities.

And finally he acknowledged, that even though the Church’s Membership was not as financially robust as he’d wanted, he admitted that the members were nevertheless, continuing to serve the Church the best they could.

He said: “May God bless you and reward you, for all that you’ve been doing to help the less able, among you.”

 In any case, the occasion in question was the wedding of Reverend Taeipo and Sitaua’s daughter, Nitzan Uili Malifa and Jack Afaeafeaupitoaluga Malietoa, at the Samoan Congregational Church, in Sydney.