Samarai Anglican Church

Samarai Island was declared as a Heritage Island by the Government of Papua New Guinea in 2006. The Prime Minister, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare at the time when making this declaration, vowed that all historical sites, monuments or buildings would be restored. I believe that was one of many reason's why the Samarai Restoration Committee was established as well (I am still trying to get hold of the Declaration paper by the PM then and will post it as soon as its available).

Since then, very little has been heard about the Samarai Restoration Committee or its activities. We do know however that one member (a permanent island resident, Mr. Ernie Evernett) pulled out of the committee as he says, 'it was nothing but talking rubbish and drinking beer at Alotau in all meetings his attended.'

The island lost it's monumental Catholic Church structure (its the blue building with slates of glass almost obscured by the white house) some many years back. The island inhabitants at the time where a bit backward, communications unlike now, tourism an unknown venture and most probably the Government and 'the Church' most ignorant. I really don't know which but still we lost the original Catholic Church building.

The Anglican Church on Samarai Island has a history of its own. The architecture of a bygone era and a monument in itself. Infact it is the oldest building and the last of its kind on the island (I believe).
History has it that during the second world war when all buildings were put on and razed with fire for fear of the mpending Japanese invasion - the Anglican Church was the only building that did not catch burn down (although was set alight too) and eventually was the only building left standing. Of course, the Japanese never once came near the island (and when it did, they dropped two bomb sticks that completely missed the island) nor was the island bombed to simmering as was often 'mistakenly' penned by latter Pacific war historians.

Until 4 months ago, the Anglican parishioners practically stopped holding services in the building as the slates on the roofs were literally falling inside the building.
Three weeks ago, the parishioners got word that the Cardinal General of Anglican Church will visit Samarai and will do a 'Reconsecration' of the Church/ building.

This means he will officially declare the removal of all items holy from the building. Church services are and will now be held in the rectory next door.

What about the monumental building?

We are told that the building will be left to fall into pieces all on its own - it will not even be pulled down.

The 'working group' are currently making arrangements to make contact with the Vice Chancellor of University of Technology (who once lived on the island himself) to utilise it's architect/ engineering department (students) to help in renovating the building to its old self.

Following pictures of the building taken only recently (17th March 2010) will tell the true state of the building: