“We Must Save the Church” – Apia Chief Seumanutafa Pogai

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 22 AUGUST 2022: Nineteen years after the EFKS, Apia church – Taimane o le Vasa Laolao – Diamond of the Ocean was christened in 1898, a fire broke out at the Tivoli building next door to the church.

The year was 1917 and the strong winds fanned the flames towards the church and the late Apia chief, Semanutafa Pogai was heard calling out to the village people to save the church even if they perished doing so.

Reverend Dr. Latu Latai, the current EFKS Apia church minister, cited the records of the fire incident when he presented a brief history of the church during the 130^th anniversary of the iconic church yesterday.

He cited a report by a New Zealand newspaper of the 1917 fire and the words uttered by chief Seumanutafa when the church was in real danger of being swamped by the fire.

 “We must save the church, if we lose our lives” were the words uttered.

The author of the article said there was something “very touching about the people’s reaction to the prospect of losing their house of worship.”

The church was indeed saved.

Yesterdays commemorative service held inside the 130 year old church.

Reverend Latai said the message from the fire incident was the people’s faith and offering their lives to serve God.

The church which was built by Mr. Williams of Australia and constructed together with the CCCS Malua old Jubilee church – Iupeli Siliva, and several Malua students assisted in melting coral to build the church.

Construction started 31 August 1892 and completed and christened on 8 May, 1898 at a cost of £6017.20.

Reverend Nemaia and Noema led the fundraising that included concerts, market days and the most popular was cricket tournaments which were opened to locals and foreigners at the time.

Known by many names
Before the Taimane o le Vasa Laolao – Diamond of the Ocean Wide existed, many names had been considered such as:

• Centenarian Church to commemorate the London Missionary Society (LMS) 100^thanniversary
• Native Church of Apia
• Memorial Church for Reverend John Williams
• Church for All Samoan Natives
• Church for Foreigners

During the celebration of the EFKS Apia 50^th anniversary from 1898-1948, the 4^th church minister that served the EFKS then, Reverend Tapeni Ioelu expressed how Reverend Nemaia must have felt in one of his sermons where he used the words – Taimane ole Tala Lelei – Diamond of the Good News to describe the slain LMS missionary, Reverend John Williams work who brought Christianity to Samoa.

Records showed what Reverend Nemaia said about John Williams travelling the Pacific Ocean to bring Christianity to the people on this side of the world, hence christening the EFKS Apia church “Diamond of the Ocean” to reflect the missionary’s work.

In 2006, the church underwent renovations under the guidance of then church minister, Reverend Elder Utufua Naseri.

Retired Reverend Utufua Naseri and the current church Minister of the EFKS Apia church, Reverend Dr. Latu Latai.

Interestingly, they realised then that after 108 years since its christening, the church structure remained solid and intact.

Reverend Latai said it was important to note the message uttered during the fire of 1917 by the ancestors of the village “We must save the church, if we lose our lives.”

Journey down memory lane
For many who attended the celebration, it was more than to meet up old friends and peers in the church.

Immediate past church minister, Reverend Utufua Naseri and children of some previous church ministers, and many from different walks of life, sat around after the feast and reminisced about the past, their life journey and what the Apia church played and meant to their lives.

“I go to a different church now,” said Suluama Tanielu, “but I have not forgotten where I learnt about faith, how to read and write and know mathematics from and I feel blessed to be back here today.”

Leone Perez, felt so emotional during the sermon, as she remembered her grandmother talking about her parents who were the first EFKS Apia pastor.

“I feel so proud to be part of something that they started,” said Leone.

Leading the service was Reverend Elder Efu Efu whose sermon was on the theme of Being Human.

130 years on – The iconic low-lying EFKS, Apia church on Beach Road, Apia.

Not everyone or family that grew up in the EFKS Apia church remained with the church over the years as some took up other faiths, but had not forgotten their origins.

The service yesterday was packed and an elderly resident of the village and church, said it was good to see everyone bonded together to celebrate the church and donate through a Taulaga.

Overall the Taulaga collected over $181,000 tala and more donations continued to arrive after the blessing of the Taulaga.  

One of the highlights, the church choir sang “Taimane ole Vasa laolao” a special song composed by the Choirmaster, Asiata Melvin Solomona specifically for the occasion.

After the church service, a special plaque to commemorate the 130^th anniversary was launched before a hundred and thirty balloons were released into a bright sunny day and a photo session as further records of the continuing story of this humble looking church’s contribution to not only Apia village, but Samoa and beyond.