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St Paul’s photo essay: Part Two

Here are some photographic 'out-takes' from the rededication of St Paul's Church, Nuku'alofa.

The newly refurbished St Paul's Church, Nuku'alofa.

St Paul's church, as it was, before the sides were extended. Photo courtesy of Peter Poulsen. The mango tree beside the entrance has come down.

That's the Rev Colleen Cowley. She's one of the kingdom's leading businesswomen - and she helped get the St Paul's project up and running.

Back row, from left: Sela, Temaleti, Rev.Colleen, Vika, Keleni and Fr Joe. Front: Tupou and Kaufo'ou - all helped bring the project to pass.

Sione Filiai holding the shells which serve as candle-holders for the new altar. The altar furniture was carved in this swamp-side workshop.

Archdeacon Joe Le'ota, left, and Archbishop Winston Halapua flank Tevita Hikila, who owns the workshop where the furniture was finished.

One side of the altar sits on the top whale's head.

This mother and baby whale hold up one side of the altar, which rests on the young whale's head.

The two plunging mahoghany dolphins which hold up one end of the new altar.

The back of the cathedra, in the Nuku'alofa workshop where the altar furniture was sanded and varnished.

Archdeacon Joe Le'ota administers the chalice to Her Majesty Queen Halaevalu Mata’aho. She was present for the Saturday rededication.

Choirmaster Lainolo Leveni, between songs...

... and a close-up of Lainolo the choirmaster's tie.

That's Doncute To'oa, one of the boys from St Andrew's College who 'paddled' the gospel into the church on Saturday morning.

Sr Fehoko, of Nuku'alofa's Community of the Sacred Name, leads Saturday's gospel procession, with Kolini Hiko beside her.

That's Fr.Epalahame Vea in the big mat, waiting to perform at the Saturday feast with his All Saints entertainment group.

Good times, good company. Silia, Kimi and Soana from All Saints at lunch following the Sunday confirmations.

Archbishop Winston rededicates the restored painting on the Sunday. It had been given to St Paul's by Bishop Alfred Willis of Hawaii in 1903.

Archbishop Winston Halapua holding Robert Sullivan, the first baby to be baptised in the refurbished church.

The Archdeacon of Tonga, Fr Joe Le'ota, prepares to present a baptismal candle to baby Robert's family.

Hou'eiki Hon. Fatafehi o Lapaha Filipe (the Queen mother's Granddaughter) was at both at the Saturday and Sunday services.

Confirmation candidates Sisilia Evelini Faletau (left) Geoffrey Talanoa and Willis Halaapiapi, with K.Faletau at the back, awaiting their moment.

That's confirmation candidate Geoffre Talanoa eyeing the camera.

The newly confirmed gather for a photo outside the church on Sunday morning.

The new St Paul's tower, at dusk, seen through the wrought iron gate to the parking lot next to the church. Marquee at right.

Lloyd Ashton | 05 May 2014 | 1 Comment

If you go armed with a camera to a weekend-long event like the rededication of St Paul’s Nuku’alofa – perhaps the biggest challenge is choosing which photos to leave out.

The pix posted here are out-takes from that weekend. But we think there's too much going on in these images – and too much life, really – for them never to see the light of day…

Judge for yourself!

Roger Cowell

Thursday 23 July 2015 2:47:17 am

I was thrilled to look at these photos and read the text. I was a New Zealand VSA volunteer in Tonga in 1969, and have revisited Tonga many times in the past 46 years, too. In 1969 I attended both Tongan language and English language services at St. Paul's most Sundays, and was welcomed into the congregation. Bishop Fine Halapua, Lesieli and their family welcomed me into their home at Bishop's House, and I have many, many happy memories of services at St Paul's. It is great to see it not only restored but enhanced and extended. My last visit to Tonga was late in 2012, so I look forward to attending services in the revitalised St Paul's on my next visit.