Samoan Congregational Church

Samoans first migrated and settled in Levuka. Some came to work on sugar cane plantations and other industries as part of the labour trade, while others came to Fiji through family connections. They set up Lotu Samoa (Protestant Church) for worshipping and Tufue became the first faife’au (pastor).

On January 10, a 3¼ acre plot was bought by seven Samoan pastors (Alama, Esene, Moli, Uili, Levi, Sa’aga and Otinielu) in Naiqaqi for its mission outpost in Fiji. Naiqaqi was the name of the area, deriving from the sound of the cane crusher because the land was used by the sugar mill industry before the church was built.  The church moved from Levuka to Thurston Street and the land was bought under the guidance/protection of the LMS for 250 pounds.

On February 11 the papers were registered under the names of John Marriot and John Hills, chairman and secretary of the LMS with the Fiji Registrar of Land and Titles. The Samoan Congregational Church was built having Kuresa as its first faife’au. He organised fundraising for the church for almost 20 years.

Kuresa’s successor Poloie built the first mission house and took care of the church, then later came Avao.

Talimatasi Sanerive (3rd minister) expanded the mission to Samoans in Lautoka. Sanerive’s mission was prosperous (known for being a successful fundraiser for the church) but later caused friction within the congregation over how to manage the church. As a result, appointments of pastors to Suva were limited by the central church authority in Samoa.

Loloaso Watimani (Wightman) of Samoan/European ancestry from American Samoa was appointed as minister and was the first minister from American Samoa. The church commemorates the centenary of the LMS church by erecting a small stone engraved memorial on the property.

Akeki Ieremia from Samoa came to serve.

Suli John Aull came to serve.

Volunteers Saua & Faioso Pouvi were the most successful missionaries to Fiji where they built a large church and extended the pastors house.

Fiaola and Fa’amuli Tekevei were from Nanumea, Tuvalu were the first non-Samoan pastors to serve the church. Maeli became the faife’au who changed the name to “Samoan Congregational Christian Church” and generated much fundraising

Afamiliona Manu’o became the first faife’au to own a car in Suva and he was regarded as a popular comedian (liked to tell jokes from the pulpit).

Sione and Tavila Tamali’I, and Galuefa Aseta and Talalelei Satele came from Samoa to serve.

Land was classified as residential according to Suva City Planning, and registered under the EFKS Church.  Iona and Rosita Levi from Samoa were the pastors of the church then.

From December until February the next year, Ioritana Tanielu and Lonise Sapolu came from Malua Theological College, Faigame and Iolesina Tagoilelagi from American Samoa, and Samu and Ianeta Amituana’i from Samoa.

Urika and O’omi Saifoloi became the faife’au and later migrated to Australia in May 1982.

Suli John Aull was called again to the church from June to December.

From January to July Bruce and Gwen Deverell (PTC) became the next pastors in charge on a rotational basis with ministers from other churches in Suva. Ueta and Joyce Solomona (USP) took charge in August, followed by Fa’asemata O’Brien (Nabua).

Faitala and Tausala Talapusi from PTC came to serve in January. Ueta and Joyce Solomona (from USP) served from November until January 1986. Va’asili Faleniu and Tenimane Asaua also from USP came to serve.

In February Faitala and Tausala Talapusi from PTC took charge and changed the nature of the Samoan pastor’s role as chairman of the church. In August Alosina and Otaota Vavae came in to serve as the next pastors of the church

Alosina demolished the old church building and sold it to the Methodist church in Nausori for $1000.  On 9 July a newly built church was opened by a delegation from Samoa led by Reverend Vavae Toma.

Makerusa Porotesano became the next faife’au.

Tepatasi Limu continued Makerusa’s mission.

Afa Afato became the next faife’au.

Siu Vaifale became the next faife’au.