Rarotonga’s Cook Island Christian Church is not so much a tourist attraction as a well-used local amenity. That’s not to say that visitors aren’t welcome here. Quite the opposite, in fact. Join the hospitable congregation at a Sunday service and stick around for post-service refreshments and conversation with the local community.
The first Christian church building in the Avarua region was built in 1831 and could accommodate some 2,000 people. This current church was built in 1853 as a replacement, after the previous one was destroyed by a tropical cyclone just 3 years’ after its construction.
Admire the simple yet attractive design of the church. The whitewashed building features arched windows running down its side. Inside, the interior is airy and bright, with wooden pews providing seating for worshippers both on the lower and upper levels.
Join the local congregation for a service on a Sunday. Though services are in Māori rather than English, they typically include hymns and singing, which can be appreciated by all. After the service, stay and mingle with the locals. Drinks and occasionally food are served at the church and the event provides a chance for the local community to socialize. Sip a cooling refreshment, eat snacks and chat with locals to find out more about the church and its role in the local community.
Wander around the church’s graveyard and read the inscriptions of the tombstones. Among the notable figures buried here is Robert Dean Frisbie, an American travel writer who wrote about the Cook Islands, and Albert Henry, the first Premier of the Cook Islands.
If you wish to attend a service, remember to dress conservatively. From February through to November, the main Sunday morning service is followed by refreshments. Find the church in Avarua. Many hotels on the island will provide free transport to guests who wish to attend.
