The Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S.) Toomatagi opened the doors of a new church on Friday morning after a long journey to reconstruction.

The ceremony was attended by the church Chairman, his deputy, the church’s minister and, of course, churchgoers. 

The event was a milestone for members of the church not only in Samoa but also their families abroad.

The honour of cutting the ribbon of the new building was given to Susana Tunumoso Iosia, wife of the Chairman of the C.C.C.S.

She spoke of how important the new church building was for the congregation. 

"It is such an emotional event, not only for Toomatagi itself but for [all] Christianity,” she said. 

“[It is] a great milestone for [our] people.

Rev. Fuao Fetalaiga says it took time for the church to decide upon building a new church - something the church had last done in 2018. 

"This is the third Church that has been built on this area [Toomatagi],” the Reverend said.

“We [hired] a carpenter from within [a] church member’s family and then [he] strongly advised us [a new church] must be built for our safety, then the decision was made.

“It wasn't easy for the Congregation to take due to the numbers of members of the Church [needed to help].”

The old church was demolished on 19 October 2020 after the congregation had a farewell service. It took out 22-weeks for the Congregation to finish off the work on the 16 of April. 

The constructor, Sufia Maiava from Manase, says the completed work and the glory must be given to God.  

A church development fund was raised from within each family member in the congregation in two weeks. 

The total cost for the new building was $641,122. 

The Chairman of the C.C.C.S, Tunumoso Iosia, took congratulated Rev. Fuao and the congregation on the occasion of the building's completion. 

"This kind of work leads us... sometimes we feel happy and get angry at it in the same time but a reminder for us that God is good, we have seen his grace and love," he said. 

The C.C.C.S also donated $20,000 to the Congregational Christian Church of Toomatagi in celebrating its new church.