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“Centenary Methodist Church”. Source: Nicholas Halter 2020
Centenary Methodist Church

The Methodist Church of Fiji is the largest Christian denomination in Fiji. The Centenary Methodist Church was announced in 1935 during the Centenary celebrations of the first Wesleyan missionaries who arrived in Fiji. The building was opened in 1954, and ten years later the Methodist Church of Fiji became independent from Australia.

“Wreck of the Syria Memorial, Nausori” Source: Nicholas Halter 2012
Wreck of the Syria Memorial, Nausori

The monument at Nausori was built in memory of people who died aboard the Indian immigrant ship Syria when it was wrecked on Nasilai reef in 1884. It was one of the worst maritime disasters in Fiji history - 59 people died in the tragedy.

Remnants of the Veiuto Battery in 2012 (taken from Nebraska Anthropologist and researcher Allison Young).
Veiuto Gun Battery

The gun battery now nestled within the Veiuto Parliament House compound was constructed in 1939-40 to protect the capital’s coast. Today the battery has deteriorated somewhat, existing in less-than-ideal conditions. Its guns have been taken away and a phone tower has been mounted within a part of its remains.

“Boys Grammar School postcard”, Co-operative (W.J.B. Stinsone), c.1930s? Source: http://www.justpacific.com/fiji/fijiphotos/grammar/bgs3.jpg
Suva Grammar School

The original Suva Grammar School was built in 1917 on Victoria Parade specifically for European boys. Girls were educated at another building on Selbourne Street a year later. Suva Grammar School is a co-ed school currently located at Nasese.

"Entrance sign Tavuni Hill Fort" Source: Nicholas Halter 2018
Tavuni Hill Fort, Sigatoka

The Tavuni Hill Fortification overlooks the Sigatoka River from a 90m high limestone ridge. It was constructed by a clan of Tongans who arrived in the early 1800s.

"Carnegie Library, Suva, Fiji", Unknown c.1930-1954, Source: Fiji Museum P/23.1/8
Suva City Carnegie Library

The Suva City Carnegie Library was opened in 1909 and bears the name of the Scottish-born American philanthropist who funded it. It is now run by the Suva City Council and serves the Central and Eastern Divisons of Fiji.

“6-inch naval gun and bunker” Source: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g612490-d3240252-Reviews-Momi_Bay_Battery_Historic_Park-Denarau_Island_Viti_Levu.html?m=19905
Momi Bay Battery Historical Park

Momi Bay Historical Park contains several gun emplacements which were used during World War II to defend against possible attacks to the mainland of Viti Levu.

“Samoan Congregational Church, view from Thurston Street” (Source: Nicholas Halter 2020)
Samoan Congregational Church

The Samoan Congregational Church was constructed in 1988 and offers religious and pastoral support to the Samoan community in Fiji, including many Samoan students who come to Fiji to study at USP. Originally established by the London Missionary Society (LMS), the Samoan Congregational Church today is known by Samoans as the Ekalesia Fa’apotpotoga Kerisiano i Samoa (EFKS). The church has played an important role in safeguarding  the ethos of fa’a Samoa in Fiji, symbolized by its motto e lele le toloa, ae maau ile vai (meaning “the Toloa water-bird flies away yet always goes back to the water”.)

“Suva Government Buildings, Cakobau Memorial replacing obelisk at old government bldgs demolished late 40s” Source: Fiji Musuem P32.5/14
Government Buildings

Originally comprised of wooden buildings relocated from Levuka, the government buildings precinct today includes the Parliament of Fiji, the law courts and other government ministries. The art deco design was completed in 1939 and includes a unique clock tower with a dome covered in glazed tiles.

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Website content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. All material used on this site retains the original Creative Commons Licences and can only be re-used under their respective licences. Note that corporate logos (such as the Fijian History logo) and images used in some collections and branding are specifically excluded from the Creative Commons Attribution Licence, and may not be reproduced under any circumstances without the express written permission of the copyright holders.

Fijian History © 2018 - The University of the South Pacific
About

This project was a collaborative effort by staff and students of The University of the South Pacific to document some of the historic sites of Fiji.

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