The Congregational Christian Church Samoa - CCCS (), is an

Protestant Protestantism is a branch of Christianity that emphasizes Justification (theology), justification of sinners Sola fide, through faith alone, the teaching that Salvation in Christianity, salvation comes by unmerited Grace in Christianity, divin ...

and Congregationalist

Christian A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...

denomination founded in

Samoa Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa and known until 1997 as Western Samoa, is an island country in Polynesia, part of Oceania, in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main islands (Savai'i and Upolu), two smaller, inhabited ...

by missionaries from the

London Missionary Society The London Missionary Society was an interdenominational evangelical missionary society formed in England in 1795 at the instigation of Welsh Congregationalist minister Edward Williams. It was largely Reformed tradition, Reformed in outlook, with ...

. The ''Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (CCCS/EFKS)'' was the first Christian Denomination established in

and

American Samoa American Samoa is an Territories of the United States, unincorporated and unorganized territory of the United States located in the Polynesia region of the Pacific Ocean, South Pacific Ocean. Centered on , it is southeast of the island count ...

. Today, approximately 57% of the Samoan population belong to the CCCS/EFKS Church. It is one of the three main Christian denominations in Samoa, alongside the

Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...

and

Methodist Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a Protestant Christianity, Christian Christian tradition, tradition whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's brother ...

Churches. While the church has experienced a decline in membership within

due to migration, it maintains a strong presence abroad, with more than half of the Samoan diaspora affiliated with CCCS congregations overseas. Prior to 1980, the CCCS/EFKS Church functioned as a one unified Church across both

and

. Today, it operates independently, while continuing to maintain a close affiliation with the '' Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (EFKAS/CCCAS)''. The CCCS/EFKS Church remains steadfast in providing spiritual guidance to its members, focusing on the teachings of Christ, fostering Christian fellowship, and offering practical support in everyday life. A unique aspect of the Church's ministry is its commitment to promoting the use of the ''Samoan language (Gagana Samoa)'' in its worship services and daily operations. Moreover, the Church incorporates and upholds ''Samoan traditions and customs (Fa‘a Samoa)'', integrating cultural heritage with the expression of Christian faith. With over 500,000 adherents worldwide, the CCCS/EFKS Church continues to be a significant witness to the gospel, rooted in both faith and culture.

History

On 21 August 1830, the ''Messenger of Peace'', a ship sent by the

, arrived at the shores of

, landing at Sapapali'i, Savai'i (Mataniu-Feagai-ma-le-ata). Onboard were Reverend John Williams, along with Fa'uea and his wife Puaseisei, a Christian Samoan couple from Tonga, as well as missionary teachers from Tahiti and the Cook Islands. The term ' Palagi,' commonly used by Samoans to refer to white people, originated from the arrival of the ''Messenger of Peace''. When the people of Sapapali'i first saw the missionaries dressed in white, they believed they had descended, or 'exploded' (''pa''), from the heavens (''lagi''), leading to the adoption of the term At the time of the missionaries' arrival, Tamafaiga, a feared and violent Samoan warrior, had just been defeated. The islands were in the midst of intense warfare between local chiefs and villages. Exhausted by the constant violence and bloodshed, Malietoa Vainu'upo, a paramount chief of Sapapali'i and of noble lineage, embraced Christianity with pride. He decreed that all his followers and kin were to convert to Christianity immediately. Upon hearing of Malietoa's conversion and the swift spread of Christianity on the western Samoan islands, the

Tui Manu'a The title Tui Manuʻa was the title of the ruler or paramount chief of the Manuʻa Islands in present-day American Samoa. The Tuʻi Manuʻa Confederacy, or Samoan Empire, are descriptions sometimes given to Samoan expansionism and projected ...

(King of the Manu'a Islands) also embraced the faith. As a result, the Kingdom of Manu'a became a stronghold of the

. Within a few years of the LMS's arrival, the majority of Samoa had embraced Christianity, a period known as the 'Great Awakening.' The wars between chiefs and villages came to an end, and the Samoan people turned to Christ for forgiveness and salvation. Nobles and commoners alike united in faith, offering themselves in large numbers for overseas mission work. In 1839, the first native Samoan missionaries were sent to

Melanesia Melanesia (, ) is a subregion of Oceania in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It extends from New Guinea in the west to the Fiji Islands in the east, and includes the Arafura Sea. The region includes the four independent countries of Fiji, Vanu ...

. These missionaries spread Christianity and established the Church in

Tokelau Tokelau (; ; known previously as the Union Islands, and, until 1976, known officially as the Tokelau Islands) is a dependent territory of New Zealand in the southern Pacific Ocean. It consists of three tropical coral atolls: Atafu, Nukunonu, an ...

Niue Niue is a self-governing island country in free association with New Zealand. It is situated in the South Pacific Ocean and is part of Polynesia, and predominantly inhabited by Polynesians. One of the world's largest coral islands, Niue is c ...

Tuvalu Tuvalu ( ) is an island country in the Polynesian subregion of Oceania in the Pacific Ocean, about midway between Hawaii and Australia. It lies east-northeast of the Santa Cruz Islands (which belong to the Solomon Islands), northeast of Van ...

Wallis and Futuna Wallis and Futuna, officially the Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands (), is a French island territorial collectivity, collectivity in the Oceania, South Pacific, situated between Tuvalu to the northwest, Fiji to the southwest, Tonga t ...

Rotuma Rotuma () is a self-governing heptarchy, generally designated a Local government in Fiji, dependency of Fiji. Rotuma commonly refers to the Rotuma Island, the only permanently inhabited and by far the largest of all the islands in the Rotuma Gro ...

, the

Solomon Islands Solomon Islands, also known simply as the Solomons,John Prados, ''Islands of Destiny'', Dutton Caliber, 2012, p,20 and passim is an island country consisting of six major islands and over 1000 smaller islands in Melanesia, part of Oceania, t ...

Kiribati Kiribati, officially the Republic of Kiribati, is an island country in the Micronesia subregion of Oceania in the central Pacific Ocean. Its permanent population is over 119,000 as of the 2020 census, and more than half live on Tarawa. The st ...

, and notably in

Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea, officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is an island country in Oceania that comprises the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and offshore islands in Melanesia, a region of the southwestern Pacific Ocean n ...

. Many of these missionaries never returned to Samoa and now rest in unmarked graves across the Pacific. During the missionary period, the Samoan Church embraced a vision centered on the 'social redemption of humanity,' rooted in its understanding of God's sovereignty. Redemption was not viewed solely as a personal or individual experience, but as a divine purpose encompassing corporate, social, and political dimensions. The newly embraced faith focused on the transformation of both individual lives and broader society. This legacy continues to inspire the nation's ideals and remains a driving force behind the Church’s commitment to social engagement and service, both within Samoa and beyond.

Formation into the CCCS/EFKS

In the latter half of the 20th century, the

Samoan Islands The Samoan Islands () are an archipelago covering in the central Pacific Ocean, South Pacific, forming part of Polynesia and of the wider region of Oceania. Political geography, Administratively, the archipelago comprises all of the Samoa, Indep ...

experienced a renewed sense of national identity and confidence, both politically and spiritually. The Kingdom of Manu'a was now under the United States of American administration and known as

, while the western islands— Savai'i,

Upolu Upolu is an island in Samoa, formed by a massive basaltic shield volcano which rises from the seafloor of the western Pacific Ocean. The island is long and in area, making it the second largest of the Samoan Islands by area. With approximate ...

Apolima Apolima is the smallest of the four inhabited islands of Samoa, in central South Pacific Ocean. It lies in the Apolima Strait, between the country's two largest islands: Upolu to the east, and Savai'i to the west. The island has one village s ...

, and Manono—were administered by

New Zealand New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...

Western Samoa Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa and known until 1997 as Western Samoa, is an island country in Polynesia, part of Oceania, in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main islands ( Savai'i and Upolu), two smaller, inhabit ...

. A significant milestone was reached in 1962, when

gained independence from

, ushering in a new era of political sovereignty and paving the way for the autonomy of local churches, particularly those affiliated with the

and the

Methodist Church Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a Protestant Christianity, Christian Christian tradition, tradition whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's brother ...

. That same year, the Samoan Church achieved independence from the

. At its inaugural General Assembly in 1962, the Church formally adopted the name ''Ekalesia Fa‘apotopotoga Kerisiano Samoa'' (EFKS), translated in English as the ''Congregational Christian Church of Samoa'' (CCCS). Following its withdrawal, the

entrusted the oversight of its mission outposts in

, and

to the ''Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (CCCS)'', recognising the Church’s capacity to provide spiritual leadership and administrative guidance across these Pacific communities. The transition was marked by close collaboration between LMS representatives and Samoan church leaders, who worked together to draft a Constitution and prepare the Church for self-governance. This historic moment signified not only ecclesiastical independence but also the affirmation of Samoan leadership and theological identity within the global Christian community.

Mālua Theological College (Kolisi Fa'afaife'au i Mālua)

On 24 September 1844, Reverend George Turner of the

established '
Mālua Theological College
the first Theological College in the Pacific. Founded under the guiding vision 'For Jesus and His Church, the College was built upon a commitment to train and educate local students so that every village in Samoa would be served by a theologically trained pastor. Its vision was to also train and educate native Samoans for mission work in the outer islands of the Pacific. This vision continues to define the College’s purpose to this day. The College was established at a site in Saleimoa, known as Māluapapa or Mālua, and commenced its first classes on 25 September 1844 with 25 single male students. In 1846, the institution began admitting married students, and the wives of these students quickly became an integral part of college life and mission activity. To commemorate its 50th anniversary, the Jubilee Church (''Fale Iupeli'') was erected in 1897. By the end of the 19th century, Mālua had trained and commissioned over a thousand missionaries who served across the Pacific, continuing the legacy of evangelism and service that the College was founded upon. Today, '
Mālua Theological College
'' continues its mission of preparing individuals for ministry within the ''Congregational Christian Church Samoa (EFKS)''. In addition to serving the Samoan Church, the College also trains students from Tokelau, Tuvalu, Kiribati, and other Pacific islands for pastoral and theological leadership. Mālua offers academic programs at the Diploma, Bachelor, and Master's levels, and provides scholarships to support further theological study at distinguished universities abroad. The College serves in partnership with its sister institutions across denominations, including ''Piula Theological College (Methodist), Moamoa Theological College (Catholic),'' and ''Kanana Fou Theological Seminary (Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa – CCCAS).''

Formation of Independent Pacific Churches

The ''Samoan District Council (SDC)'' of the

maintained governance and ecclesiastical authority over the London Missionary Society congregations in

and

. These regions were formally recognised as 'Mission Outposts' of the Samoan District and remained closely linked to the mother church in Samoa. In keeping with its missionary legacy, the SDC continued to send Samoan pastors to these districts to undertake mission work and serve as covenanted ministers, thereby preserving both spiritual and administrative continuity across the Pacific. By the 1950s, the mission outpost in

began advocating for ecclesiastical independence and the right to govern their own churches and affairs. With the full support of the ''Samoan District Council'', these aspirations were eventually realised. Following the Samoan District Council’s own independence from the

in 1962—at which point it was formally established as the ''Congregational Christian Church Samoa (CCCS)''—similar calls for autonomy emerged from the Districts in

and

. The CCCS responded with wholehearted support, working collaboratively with these Outposts and Districts to help them achieve self-governance. This period marked a significant movement toward indigenous leadership and local ownership of the Christian mission across the Pacific. * Tuvalu Outpost: Independent in 1958, forming the ''Christian Church of Tuvalu (Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu)''. * Niue District: Independent in 1966, forming the ''Congregational Christian Church of Niue (Ekalesia Niue)''. * Kiribati District: Independent in 1968, forming the ''

Kiribati Protestant Church The Kiribati Protestant Church (KPC) and earlier, the Gilbert Islands Protestant Church, is a Protestant Christian denomination in Kiribati. With approximately 10,000 members,United Church in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands The United Church in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands is a United church in the Methodist and the Reformed tradition. It was formed in 1968 by merging the efforts of the London Missionary Society (operating exclusively in Papua), the relativ ...

''''.'' * American Samoa District: Independent in 1980, forming the ''Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (Ekalesia Fa'apotopotoga Kerisiano i Amerika Samoa)'' ''.'' This also included the majority of CCCS/EFKS congregations located in the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

and

Hawai‘i Hawaii ( ; ) is an island state of the United States, in the Pacific Ocean about southwest of the U.S. mainland. One of the two non-contiguous U.S. states (along with Alaska), it is the only state not on the North American mainland, t ...

. * Tokelau District: Independent in 1996, forming the ''Congregational Christian Church of Tokelau (Ekalehia Fakapotopotoga Kelihiano Tokelau).''

Church Mission & Focus

The EFKS Church places its primary focus on the spiritual growth and nurture of its members. Central to its mission is the development of a deep and abiding faith in Christ, a clear understanding of His Divine Mission on earth, and a commitment to living and walking according to His teachings. Through worship, discipleship, and community life, the Church seeks to cultivate a Christ-centered faith that shapes both personal conduct and communal responsibility. The EFKS Church places a strong emphasis on the significance of the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion, and Marriage. The Church believes in the transformative and redemptive power of God, which is made manifest in the Resurrection of Christ. This divine power is to be reflected in both the words and actions of its members, guiding them to live in accordance with the teachings of Christ. During the missionary era, the Samoan Church committed itself to the 'social redemption of humanity'—a vision deeply rooted in its understanding of God's sovereignty. Redemption was not viewed solely in personal or individual terms, but as a divine mandate encompassing corporate, social, and political dimensions. The Christian faith, as newly embraced by the Samoan people, centered on the holistic transformation of life and society. This legacy continues to shape both the nation’s idealism and the Church’s enduring commitment to active social engagement.

Development Projects

Samoan Alphabet

The

’s initial efforts in Samoa were focused on educating the native Samoans in literacy and written communication. In the early years of their mission, the LMS missionaries, particularly

Reverend George Pratt George Pratt (1817 – 1894) was a missionary with the London Missionary Society who lived in Samoa for forty years from 1839 to 1879, mostly on the island of Savai'i. Pratt was from Portsea, Portsmouth in England. He also served in Niue, the ...

, made a significant contribution by developing the first

Samoan alphabet Samoan ( or , ) is a Polynesian language spoken by Samoans of the Samoan Islands. Administratively, the islands are split between the sovereign country of Samoa and the United States territory of American Samoa. It is an official language, alon ...

, thereby introducing the

Samoan language Samoan ( or , ) is a Polynesian languages, Polynesian language spoken by Samoans of the Samoan Islands. Administratively, the islands are split between the sovereign country of Samoa and the Unincorporated territories of the United States, Unit ...

to written form. This achievement marked a pivotal moment in the cultural and linguistic development of Samoa.

Printing Press

In 1839, the

furthered their commitment to spreading the Gospel through written work by establishing the first ''Printing Press'' in Samoa. This act not only demonstrated their missionary zeal but also underscored their belief in the importance of written literature as a means of conveying the Christian message. The establishment of the Printing Press allowed for the production of religious texts, educational materials, and other works that helped solidify the mission’s impact on Samoan society, enabling the people to engage with the Gospel through the written word. The 'O le Sulu Samoa', the first magazine in Samoa, is still in use today by the CCCS.

Tusi Pa'ia (The Holy Bible)

In 1855,

and missionaries from the

, in collaboration with well-versed Samoan orators, completed the translation of the Bible into the Samoan language, ''O le Tusi Pa'ia'', in Avao, Savai'i. This translation remains in use to this day and has been instrumental in shaping the philosophical and theological language of Samoa, providing a foundational understanding of its linguistic and cultural intricacies. The text uses Roman numerals and uses the term '''Ieova (Jehovah) in reference to Jesus Christ. For many years, this Samoan translation served as the primary scripture in the churches of the London Missionary Society throughout the Pacific, including in Tokelau, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, and Tuvalu, where worship was conducted in Samoan. It was only in recent years that the Bible was translated into the native languages of these regions. Despite this, the Samoan Language Bible continues to be widely utilized by Samoan churches of various denominations, remaining a central text in the faith and worship practices of the Samoan Christian community.

Education

The ''Congregational Christian Church of Samoa'' is dedicated to advancing education in Samoa through its network of schools and colleges, fostering both academic and spiritual growth within the community. The Church maintains a strong presence in primary and secondary education, operating five schools across Samoa: * Leulumoega Fou College * Mālua Fou College * Nu'uausala College * Papauta Girls' College In addition to its primary and secondary schools, the Church also runs three prominent tertiary educational institutions, each contributing to the intellectual and theological development of its students: * Mālua Theological College * Leulumoega School of Fine Arts * Mālua Bible School (with a campus also operated in New Zealand)

CCCS/EFKS Member Congregations & Structure

The Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (CCCS/EFKS) adheres to a congregationalist structure of governance, with a focus on shared leadership and decision-making. At the heart of this system is the Committee of Elders (''Komiti o le 'Au Toea'i'ina''), which holds the highest authority within the Church. The Committee oversees the General Assembly (''Fono Tele''), which serves as the ultimate governing body of the Church.

The General Assembly (''Fono Tele'')

The General Assembly is composed of Pastors and their wives, along with elected representatives from each CCCS congregation. This assembly is responsible for the Church's decision-making processes, including the setting of policies, theological direction, and overall governance. The Annual Fono Tele is held each year at the Church headquarters in Mālua, Samoa, where delegates gather to discuss and make critical decisions regarding the future of the Church.

Organisational Structure: Districts and Sub-Districts

The EFKS congregations are organised into Districts (''Matāgaluega''), which are further divided into Sub-Districts (''Pulega''). These Sub-Districts are local groups of congregations, each overseen by a Faife'au Toea'ina (Elder Pastor). The role of the Faife'au Toea'ina is to provide spiritual leadership, guidance, and oversight to the congregations within their jurisdiction, ensuring that the Church's teachings and practices remain consistent with its mission and values. There are 335 EFKS Congregations worldwide.

Geographic Presence

The EFKS Church is not only a significant religious body in Samoa but also has a broad international presence. The Church maintains congregations and Districts in Samoa, American Samoa, Hawai'i, New Zealand, and Australia, reflecting the global reach of Samoan communities and the Church's commitment to supporting the spiritual needs of the diaspora. The Church's organizational structure helps to maintain unity and coherence across these diverse congregations while preserving the Church's Samoan heritage and identity. The first Congregation outside of Samoa & American Samoa was founded in Suva, Fiji in 1903, followed by the establishment of a congregation in Moanalua, Hawai'i in 1954. In 1955, the Church expanded further to San Diego, USA, and in 1962, a congregation was established in Grey Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand. The Church's presence in Balmain, Sydney, Australia was established in 1983, reflecting the growing migration of Samoan families to the region. Mission outposts of the EFKS Church can be found in Jamaica, Canada and London. The Canada and London Mission Outposts caters to the small Samoan communities there. Through its structured governance and widespread presence, the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa continues to play a pivotal role in the spiritual and cultural life of Samoan communities both in the Pacific and around the world.

Ecumenical Relationships

The EFKS Church collaborates closely with a variety of Christian organisations worldwide. It is an active member of several influential ecumenical bodies, including: *

Council for World Mission The Council for World Mission (CWM) is a worldwide community of mainly Protestant Christian churches. The organisation works to spread the knowledge of Christ throughout the world and to strengthen their 32 members in their mission work by shar ...

* Samoa Council of Churches * World Council of Churches of the Pacific *

Pacific Conference of Churches The Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) is an ecumenical organization representing Christian churches in the Pacific region. It seeks the visible unity of the church on issues of justice, peace and integrity of creation, initiatives on capacity ...

World Alliance of Reformed Churches The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) was a fellowship of more than 200 churches with roots in the 16th century Reformation, and particularly in the theology of John Calvin. Its headquarters was in Geneva, Switzerland. They merged with the ...

World Council of Churches The World Council of Churches (WCC) is a worldwide Christian inter-church organization founded in 1948 to work for the cause of ecumenism. Its full members today include the Assyrian Church of the East, most jurisdictions of the Eastern Orthodo ...

Through its participation in these global and regional organisations, the EFKS Church engages in collective mission efforts, promotes Christian unity, and contributes to addressing social and spiritual needs across the Pacific and beyond. These affiliations strengthen the Church's commitment to the Gospel and its active role in the global Christian community.

References

External links

Official website of the Christian Congregational Church of Samoa
{{DEFAULTSORT:Christian Congregational Church Of Samoa Religion in Samoa Religious organizations established in 1839 Congregationalism 1830s establishments in Samoa