Dunedin Samoan Methodist Church minister the Rev Misionare Tuitamai and church co-founder Taupaū Mataafā Sauleone stand outside the former Caversham Presbyterian church in Thorn St, which has been bought for the Dunedin parish. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY The Samoan Methodist Church has never had a place to officially call home since it was established in Dunedin almost 50 years ago. However, the long period is over with the purchase of the former Caversham Presbyterian church in Thorn St. Samoan Methodist Church minister the Rev Misionare Tuitamai said ministers before him had done their services in different buildings, school halls and houses around the city. ‘‘We kept praying and asking God that we need land, a church building, a house for the Samoan Methodist Church here in Dunedin.’’ They had been using the Caversham Presbyterian church for the past 15 years. ‘‘God put a message in our hearts to approach the Presbyterian church — that’s when I went to their reverend and said ‘I want to buy these properties’. ‘‘Then the reverend told me ... no.’’ They did not give up and after drafting a proposal and going to more meetings, they finally were able to buy the church, the hall next door, a house and a carpark across the road. The purchase cost $1.2 million. ‘‘That’s how we have a home ... in Dunedin, forever.’’ Friday was the church’s official opening. Parish co-founder Taupaū Mataafā Sauleone said services were conducted in a mix of Samoan and English and Sunday School was used to teach the young parishioners Samoan. ‘‘So our New Zealand-born can know the language and know where they come from,’’ he said.
