Fa’atoia Congregational Christian Church Celebrates 102 Years

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 04 December 2024 – Members of the Congregational Christian Church at Fa’atoia  came together on Friday night to celebrate a milestone of 102 years since the church was established.

The celebration started with a church service led by Reverend Peter Gafa Lokeni on the theme: “Stay Dedicated to the Church and Steadfast in Serving the Work of God.”

During the service, a plaque with names of previous pastors, original families that started the church and the names of current members serving the church – Matafale was launched.

The church started in 1922 with nine families and has since grown to 39 Matafales.

Members of the Te’o family, one of the original founders of the Faatoia Congregational Christian Church.

The church also takes pride in 8 of their sons and daughters that served the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (CCCS). Five of them served as pastors in Papua New Guinea, 2 in Samoa and the late Salamasina Malietoa who led CCCS all girls Papauta School that prepared future wives for males training to be pastors at Malua Theological College.

The celebrations included a feast and a variety of entertainment, a Women Fashion Show depicting the changing times, fashions and styles from 1922 to date.

Faletua Annie Uele in a flashback fashion show displaying a kerosene lantern, a bag for a fan and bible a dress from years past.

The celebration also highlighted the different trades which members of the church are currently employed such as doctors, lawyers, police officers, business & young entrepreneurs, farmers and sports.

Each one dressed in their trade uniform joined the fashion parade as the crowd cheered them on.

Tausala Samoa Litara Ieremia Allan performed Tauluga to close the celebrations.

Pastors who served at Faatoia Congregational Christian Church since 1922
Reverend Ie’u T- 1922-1926
Reverend Sailele & Faivale – 1926-1941
Reverend Fa’aiuaso & Eti – 1941-1942 (appointed by CCCS to look after the parish))
Reverend Saifoloi & Mafa – 1942-1944
Reverend Fa’ai’uaso & Tagatataeao – 1944-1955
Reverend Malele & Pitolua – 1955-1985
Reverend Salu & Oli Epati – 1985-2005
Reverend Paulo Koria & Uputau (Dora & Mafutaga) – 2006-2021
Reverend Peter Gafa & Tauvela Lokeni – 2022 to date.