The Church in Samoa

 

I like big old churches. When we visit Europe I am always awed by these magnificent structures. I did not expect to see a big church in Samoa, yet there is one.  A metal roof, tops the steeples. The walls are white trimmed in dark brown. 

Like an old European church (OEC) the doors are carved with biblical scenes. In Europe they tell a story to a pre-literate society. In this case, the doors tell a story that someone who speaks Samoan can understand as easily as an English speaker or a German speaker. Pictures are worth a lot of words and they are universal.

Once inside, you are mesmerized by the wonderful ceiling. The ceiling is awesome, depicting the glory that believers see when they enter such a heavenly place...the exact same feeling the OECs have. The walls are heavily decorated with frescoes and stained glass windows. There is a mighty organ in the choir loft...same as the OEC. The style is different, but the concept is the same. The music comes from above in other-worldly harmony. The purpose of the OEC was to cause shock and awe to the believer. This church does the same thing, but in Samoan style.

 

Like the OECs, there is a dome embedded in the ceiling. It is covered  with frescoes depicting local leaders 

The church might not look like a traditional cathedral but it has all the same features, interpreted to fit the local culture. It's not Gothic, it's not Romanesque--it's a style all of its own...maybe you could call Samoesque.