HUNDREDS of United Church of Solomon Islands (UCSI) members have commemorated the 119th anniversary marking the arrival of the Church in 1902 to the Solomon Islands.
As part of the event congregational members around the country organized and celebrated the anniversary separately in their respective regions.
The celebration was filled with joy and excitement to see the growth of Christianity and the church over the past centenary.
The United Church was brought to the Solomon Islands by the Methodist Missionary Society and led by Reverend John Wesley and a local of Guadalcanal, Samuel Aqarao.
Separating from Papua New Guinea in 1996 to become its own, the UCSI still hold its head quarter in Kokeqolo Munda Western Province a hundred years since the first missionary ship landed on the small island of Nusa Zonga just outside of Munda.
Decedents of the late Sam Agarao were amongst the many in Munda who came together to celebrate the anniversary.
Its understood that the missionary vessel having set sail for Solomon Islands had set its sight on Agarao’s home island of Guadalcanal and another set of islands before it was deterred to the Western Province and shored.
Those present during the celebrations said the whole weekend was allocated to the anniversary and was understood to be the same in other mission stations around the country.
BY TERENCE ZIRU
Gizo News Bureau
