This congregation was established in September 1976.
Rev. Brian Whitlock of Sussex street church facilitated the establishment of this congregation. Some of the pioneers involved were: Kepu Malafu and rugby union players from Tonga, and Tongans already residing in Brisbane such as Tevita Uaisele Ngauamo, Tevita Peu, Makameone Senituli, Sione Tanginoa Satui, Mausia Tu’iono, ‘Elema Fe’ao Peu, Pilimilose Ta’ufo’ou, Mele Horner, ‘Uheina Taumoefolau, Heuifanga Tupou Taufa, and ‘Ofa Tamo’ua.
Rev. Sione Kiteau Saafi, a Minister of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga (SUTT) was in training at the time at Alcorn Methodist College in Brisbane also acted as the caretaker Minister of the new congregation. Following in his footsteps were other ministers from SUTT such as Rev. Sione Havea Fonua, Rev. Taniela Moeata Taumoha’apai, Rev. Henele Puniani, Rev. Uaisele Manoa, Rev Siua ‘Amanaki, Rev. Taniela Ha’unga, Rev. Dr. Kalapoli Paongo, and Rev. Liume Paongo.
On February 20, 1983 this congregation was recognised as a congregation of the Southside Innercity Parish, Queensland Synod of the Uniting Church in Australia under Rev. Uaisele Manoa.
This congregation’s full-time Ministers of the Word were: 1992-1994 Rev. Taniela Fisi’ihoi; 1995-1998 Rev. Kotoni Fihaki; 1999 the congregation was without a minister and Rev. John Hooper from West End Uniting Church (Sussex Street) provided the ministerial support; 2000-2005 Rev. Dr. Samiuela Toa Finau, he was also the first ever Pacific Island minister to take charge of a Methodist Circuit in Australia (Robertson, New South Wales, 1969).
The Church Council of this congregation was established in 1999 as a result of the removal of the Parish structure within the Uniting Church. The council incorporated the activities of the Finance committee, Property committee, and Elders council.
In June 2005 Rev. Lulu ‘O-Ha’angana Senituli started as the Minister of the Word of this congregation, and on the 14th November 2007 he was appointed as the Chairperson of the Moreton Rivers Presbytery of the Queensland Synod. This historic event took place during the full meeting of the Presbytery at this church.
Information collected from and qualified by reliable primary sources, 10 December 2007.
