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By Alfred Pagepitu
The Noosa Roviana United Church on Tuesday celebrated the 110th anniversary of the arrival of the Gospel to the Western Province islands.
Assistant priest Dayson Ben said it was a remarkable turnaround for an island said to be the birthplace of the custom of headhunting and home to the darkest of spiritual deities, Tiola.
He said Nusa Roviana had resisted Christianity for more than a decade, since 1902, when Christianity was first introduced to the western Solomon Islands.
A breakthrough finally came in 1914 through the efforts of a chief named James Pitu, who himself had been converted to Christianity in Roman Catholic and Methodist mission schools.
Wreaths were laid at the memorial site and church members witnessed the commemoration.
On 16 July 1914, Pitou returned to his home town and, despite strong opposition from locals, successfully established the Nusa Roviana United Methodist Church.
“Today is a very important day as we are marking the 110th anniversary of the arrival of the Gospel in Noosa Roviana because we trace our roots back to 1914,” said Reverend Ben, assistant pastor in charge of the church at Noosa Roviana.
The congregation spends the day singing songs, enjoying a feast and engaging in various other activities to commemorate the pioneers who brought the light of the gospel to this once isolated island.
“This day is very special for us, it’s a big time to celebrate and remember and honour the pioneers who brought the gospel. The highlight is the struggle of the pioneers who brought the gospel, which is the core of what people come to witness and commemorate,” added Pastor Ben.
Nusa Roviana church members sing a song during church services.
The church service was attended by local community leaders, Roviana Circuit District Governor Anthony Sapopala, and even relatives who had travelled from Honiara and other parts of the country to join in the celebrations. Other local churches and denominations also took part in marking the momentous occasion.
Assistant Pastor, Rev. Ben, narrated the history of the coming of the Gospel during the church service and Roviana Circuit Supervisor, Sapopala, delivered a powerful sermon.
The community also visited the site where the Gospel was first preached 110 years ago, making for a truly memorable day of celebration and remembrance.
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