The Congregational Christian Church Samoa in Sapapali'i, Savai'i is preparing to celebrate the anniversary of the arrival of Christianity to Samoa.

Widely regarded as the "home of Christianity in Samoa", the historical occasion is marked every year by the Sapapali'i parish on 24 August, but things will be different this year.

To mark the anniversary this year, the church minister who oversees the C.C.C.S. Sapapali'i parish confirmed the Samoa Government and leaders of the country’s largest Christian denomination will attend the special service this month. 

The occasion is the commemoration of 192 years since the arrival of Christianity in Samoa through the London Missionary Society (L.M.S.) on the vessel "Messenger of Peace" in 1830. 

Sapapali'i is where John Williams of the London Missionary Society and his team were welcomed to Samoa by forefathers of the village who then accepted Christianity in Samoa. In an exclusive interview on Saturday with the Church Minister looking after the Sapapali'i parish, Reverend Esera Auetama, he confirmed that the service will be held on Wednesday 24 August 2022. 

According to Reverend Esera, the Government had already announced their willingness to mark all the significant days (taeao faitaulia) in the history of Samoa as part of its 60th Independence Anniversary Celebration. Therefore, the service at Sapapali'i will be the first of many services in the country.

Reverend Esera confirmed that the C.C.C.S. has offered to assist their congregation in hosting such an important event in Savai'i. 

"They have also offered money to assist us with our preparations for the big day," Reverend Esera said. 

"So our congregation and the C.C.C.S. are joining together to host the Government and any special guests for this very important service. 

Reverend Esera added that this is all part of commemorating 60 years of independence for Samoa as the Government had announced earlier this year. 

“So we're the first one to host as our usual service falls on the month of August every year. I am not sure whether Malaeola ma Gafoaga will be second or Faleu ma Utuagiagi," he said. 

"But our service is scheduled on the 24 of this month and we will be hosting the Government and leaders of our church who have also lent their shoulder to help us by offering a huge amount of money for this service."