The Tiavea-tai Methodist Church congregation have celebrated the 156th anniversary of the church’s establishment.

The celebrations at Ti’avea on Sunday attracted 21 families and friends as well as church ministers and their wives and children to mark the milestone.

Tiavea-tai Methodist Church Minister, Reverend Ioane Tuupo, told the Samoa Observer that one thing he finds impressive about the families of the congregation is their will and passion to serve the church.

“Even though the majority of the families are impoverished, they are always striving to do the best for the church and that’s what I find very interesting about this congregation,” he said.

“And this is also one of the major challenges the church faces almost everyday of their lives, is having less financial support but interestingly, they are not one to give up easily and always serve with all honesty.”

Reverend Tuupo and his family were posted to Ti’avea about three years ago and he has four more years to serve on his mission, before the Methodist Church’s Annual Conference moves him to another village.

A memorial stone commemorating the church’s 156th anniversary has been built into the wall of their newly opened hall, to cherish as well as to remind the current congregation of each member’s effort to build and support the church over the last 156 years.

Congregation member, Menime Sola, told the Samoa Observer that the church plays a big role in their community as they go about their normal lives.

She said one of the church’s goals is to guide youth in the village to walk the path of righteousness and back away from activities their parents would disagree with. 

“It’s always been a guidance really. Not just to me but to everyone of this church especially the youths,” she said.

“Just like a majority of us Samoans, church is a place to go to clear our curiosities about who we are as Christians and to keep us on the loop of faith and not fall back.”