Members of the Methodist Church at Tiavea-tai celebrated the opening of their brand new new hall on Friday.

The completion of the $210,000 project was cause for a great celebration attended by church members, guests and and everyone who contributed to the development.

The church did not have a hall before. Church Minister and chair of the Upolu West Synod, Reverend Ioane Tu'upo, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped.

"I want to thank God for guiding us through this gigantic work," he said, "We’ve made it.

“I thank the families, friends of this church especially the Methodist church for granting us a big amount of money in the loan, which has made this house possible and beautiful.”

The newly opened hall was named ‘O le Fa’amanatu (Reminder) Hall’.

Ti’avea-tai Methodist church has 21 families (matafale) in its congregation. 

For years, the church had struggled with the absence of a venue for their regular activities.

Construction work began on 4 February and ended in early April. 

Due to restrictions posed by the lockdown for the COVID-19, they postponed the opening until the restrictions were relaxed.

“We kept postponing this important event until we were finally able and we’re glad we are able to open them,” a church member said.