Samoan Congregation

The first Samoans arrived at Wesley Church in December 1951. They quickly joined in church and bible class activities and the Wesley youth made special efforts to help them feel welcome. By the mid-1950s they were an inseparable part of young people’s activities at Wesley Church. Aloha Night dances were hosted by the Samoans as early as 1955. In May 1956 it was announced that the quarterly meeting had approved the holding of services in the Samoan language, the first of which was held on Sunday 10 June 1956. At this service the Superintendent, Rev. W. H. Greenslade, inducted the pastor, Faleupolu Taulelei, as a local preacher.

The Samoan Congregation has grown in numbers over the years ever since and continues to take an active part in all Wesley Church activities. In 2006 we celebrated 50 years at Taranaki Street. In late 2007, the Waitangirua Samoan Community began meeting for worship at Waitangirua Hall.

Our Motto

Our motto is “Ua tasi tatou ia Keriso” which means “We are one in Christ”.

Our Services

We have church services in the Samoan language all Sundays at 2pm, except the 1st Sunday. Preceding the service is Sunday School from 12-2pm. On first Sundays we take part in the Combined Service of Holy Communion at 10am.

Other Activities

Junior Youth (Tupulaga Talavou):

Mixed age from 10 years and over, meets Fridays, 4:30-6pm, in the church.

Youth Group (Autalavou):

Secondary School to University students. The group meets on Fridays, 8-10pm, in the Old Hall (church on 3rd Fridays). There is also a meeting on Saturdays, from 5pm, in the church, or Old Hall where available for volleyball. Devotional and bible studies every Sunday (except 1st Sunday), 6-8pm, Old Hall.

Choir Practice (Aufaipese):

Practices on Fridays, 6-8pm in the New Hall (church on 3rd Fridays) TBC.

Samoan Women’s Fellowship (Mafutaga a Tamai’tai):

Special Programme, every first Saturday, 9am-5pm, New Hall - TBC inlcuing Wellington District Fellowship.
Sewing and other activities every fourth Saturday, 9am-5pm, New Hall.

Our Congregation Leaders

Presbyter: TBC
Steward: Sara Va'ai
Secretary: Peilua Kone Tautau