Since the year 1849, there has been a church in Apia providing worship service in the English Language. The life of this church has continued without a break since those days. Today you will find a congregation made up of almost equally of Samoans and expatriates. These people are united by language, but more important, by a common desire to worship God and grow in his love. People come to our church from all over the world, and from many branches of the Christian Church. Hence our name - APIA PROTESTANT CHURCH.

For many people, whether at home or far from home, the Apia Protestant Church serves as a spiritual home, a focus for the continuing worship and service of God. The Congregation was first created largely to meet the needs of the many seamen who visited Apia in the midst of the nineteenth century. With the help of the London Missionary Society, a tin Chapel was erected in 1849, bearing the name "Apia Seamen's Church". Worship was conducted regularly by the LMS Missionary resident in Apia. In those days, the building was on the seafront, but nearer to the wharf than the present-day site.

Over the years, the whaling fleets moved northwards and less seamen came into Apia. But at the same time, the number of English-speaking expatriates living in Apia was growing. So when the church was moved to its present site in 1860, it was renamed "The English Church". The old tin chapel deteriorated with the years, and serious consideration was given to the erection of amore permanent building. Money was raised over a period of time and the present church was built between 1890 and 1895. It was about this time that the name "Apia Protestant Church" was adopted. Although the church remains an independent body, it maintains strong links with the London Missionary Society (now called - Council for World Mission) and with the Congregational Christian Church in Samoa.

In November 1990 we celebrated the 100th Anniversary of our building. It was decided by the Board of Deacons that we would have as our Centenary Project the renovations of our church building. The work began in August 1990 and as we were finishing the final touches to the church when Cyclone Val Struck in 1991. All our three buildings were destroyed namely the Hall, Manse and the Church Building. The other two were repaired but the church could not. We then had to pull it down and rebuild the church with the similar design as we do have today. It was a tough responsibility, and thank God we made it after 4 years.

The church was dedicated on the 13th of December 1998.

2002 Copyright. Developed by the Siaosi, Taiki, and Slaven Families with help from God.