By Luisa Mataele
More than 1,000 people welcomed His Royal Highness King Taufa''ahau Tupou IV and his wife, Queen Halaevalu Mata''aho, of Tonga during the dedication of the Tongan United Methodist Church in West Valley City, Saturday, July 31.
'This is a major undertaking by a Tongan church in the United States ... not only the United Methodists, but the Mormons and the Tongan churches,' said Tevita Kolokihakaufisi, consul general of Tonga.
Arson fire destroyed the original church four years ago. Church members raised funds and worked to rebuild the newly dedicated structure.
The construction of the church involved people of all faiths.
Tongan LDS branch members learned of the church construction from family members who were part of the Methodist congregation, said President Tonga Tauteoli of the Magna Utah Tongan LDS branch. Approximately 30 branch members devoted time and skills alongside Methodist members to rebuild the church, Tauteoli said.
'It''s Tongans helping Tongans,' Tauteoli said.
During the dedication ceremony, choir members raised their voices in Tongan hymns singing four part harmonies. Then Minister Filimone Havili Mone of the new church addressed the audience and in closing, a brass band played both national anthems from Tonga and the United States.
Afterwards, a celebration followed on the church grounds next to the newly dedicated structure.
'We feel so blessed that we have this church and that the king was able to be here today with us,' said Latu Mone, local Methodist congregation member. 'It''s neat that we can share this day with him and that he was able to make it.'
The hundreds of attendees feasted on native Tongan foods provided by local Methodist congregation members while dozens danced spontaneously to Tongan music in expressions of love for the royal couple and gratitude for the new church to worship in.
'I think that''s one of the reasons his majesty and her majesty visit the United States every year, when the Tongan people see him, they remember where they come from,' Kolokihakaufisi said.
This king has ruled the tiny island kingdom since the death of his mother, Queen Salote Tupou III, in 1965.
According to the Utah Office of Polynesian Affairs, Utah is home to over 6,000 of Tongan descent.
This visit marks only the second time the king has visited Salt Lake City.
'His majesty is in good health,' Kolokihakaufisi said. 'He always enjoys travels to his people. They love him as much as he loves them.'