In true island fashion, hundreds of colorfully dressed local residents of Samoan ancestry held a groundbreaking ceremony in Texas in the U.S. last Saturday with the ceremony including a roasted pig and luau. 

The Samoan Congregational Church of Killeen – also known as Samoa-i-Texas (Samoans in Texas) – officially kicked off their new building construction on Stan Schlueter Loop with the attendees celebrating with Samoan food, music and dance.  

Lay Minister Leasina Lefotu opened with a prayer and congratulatory remarks followed by group and family photos. Every family was provided a set of personalized hard hats and shovels to break the ground with. 

The event had activities for all ages: inflatables for the children, a game of adult musical chairs that left a few bruises, and a senior citizen talent show that had some of the ladies rolling down the mounds of dirt onsite roaring with laughter. 

Many at the ceremony wore aqua colored shirts with a photo of the late Reverend Menise Sasa who passed away in March this year.  

Church members view the construction of a Samoan Church in Texas as an embodiment of his legacy in the worldwide Samoan community, especially the active duty and retired soldiers in central Texas over the last 30 years. 

Samoa-i-Texas began in 1993 with services held in U.S. Army chapels while Sunday school, potlucks, and meetings rotated amongst members’ homes and local parks.  In 2001, the church purchased a warehouse located on a 3 acre property as their new home.   

The construction of the new 11,000 square foot worship space and classrooms is the final phase of a 20-year plan. In 2010, the warehouse was renovated into a modern meeting hall and church-run daycare center, Koinonia Christian Academy. 

The church alternates worship locations every Sunday between Fort Hood and the current meeting hall in Killeen, since increased security to enter the military installation have made it difficult for non-military members to attend. 

“We want to create a safe haven for both military and nonmilitary families who want to worship in the Samoan language and for our evening English services," said Deacon Sivia Sasa, who is the project leader.

"Our congregation has grown to include many worshippers who are non-Samoan and from other Christian denominations."

Tu’u Falefia, Chairman of the church board, was ecstatic that their dreams had come to fruition after 30 years.

"After 30 years, we finally have a permanent site to worship without restrictions. Viia le Atua, praise the Lord, we did it." 

A large banner at the groundbreaking site shows the new building and the portraits of six church members, who played a pivotal role in the project and passed away before it’s completion. 

They are Faavaefou Sasa (2010), Matilda Lefotu-Sasa (2014), Willie Lealiiee (2015), Kalolo Silivelio (2017), Aloalii Sasa (2016), Sualosi Taula'i (2020) and Rev Menise Sasa (2021).

The construction of the new church building will hopefully be completed within the year.