The Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S.) Tuana’i opened the doors of their new SAT$1.2 million church on Thursday morning after a long journey to reconstruction.

It was in 2019 when structural damages were noticed in the old church and amid safety concerns, it was decided that a new church should be built.

It was a hard decision as the old church was built 50 years ago and many generations of Tuana'i villagers had gathered there for devotion and prayers.

Church Minister, Reverend Kamuta Mataafa, told Samoa Observer that the church and congregation worked tirelessly on the project ensuring that the new church would serve the village for years to come.

“The old church was built way before my faletua (wife) and I started preaching here in Tuana’i. Our arrival was done in the old church and it is missed by many," he said. "In 2019, I received complaints from the congregation about the dangers the ailing structure poses and how easily it could be damaged by earthquakes and cyclones.

"The iron structures in the church had started to rust as well. That was when the congregation scheduled a meeting and decided to build a new church."

Even the faletua, Makerita Mataafa, told this newspaper that fundraising was done in various forms including bingo, “Po-Siva”, and donations.

“We are grateful that a new church has been built to worship God and to do our work. We appreciate and thank all those out there including families abroad for helping the E.F.K.S Tuana’i to build a new church,” she said.

The C.C.C.S Tuana’i consists of 42 families and each donated SAT$3000. It took three years to raise the SAT$1.2 Million needed for the construction of the new church. 

Congregation member, Faaletalaiga Mapu said the new church means more people can attend church now as they had resorted to using the village hall after it was demolished.

“The old church was demolished last year in October and was built in the 1970s. I spiritually thank our father and mother in spirit, Rev Kamuta, and Makerita for their patience in waiting for this to become a reality," he said. "I also thank our families abroad and all 42 families that helped the congregation build this beautiful church."

The church was built by one of the Samoan Tufuga teams, which made it less expensive. C.C.C.S. Tuana’i is included in the Matagaluega of Malua i Sasa’e and consists of five churches. This includes the C.C.C.S. of Faleula, Malie, Afega, Tuana’i and Leauva’a