Tongan king dedicates West Valley church

An arson fire in 2000 destroyed original building

Published: Saturday, July 31, 2004 8:07 p.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
The king of Tonga dedicated the Tongan United Methodist Church Saturday. The church was built after an arson fire destroyed the original structure in 2000.

Cultural activities followed the dedication of the new church at about 1500 W. 2950 South. Church members raised money and purchased 7 acres for the new facility.

Tevita Kolokihakaufisi, consul general of Tonga, said the king makes an annual visit to the consulate in California, but it's rare for him to visit other states.

"His majesty was invited by the (Tongan) United Methodist Church of Salt Lake City," he said. "The Tongan king is also a Methodist."

Taufa'ahau Tupou IV (born 1918) has been the king of Tonga since his mother, Salote Tupou III, died in 1965.

On Friday, the king met with Gov. Olene Walker, officials from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and other state notables.

Walker said this is the second time the Tongan king has visited Utah, where more than 6,000 people of Tongan descent reside.

"I expressed how honored we are," Walker said. "We talked about the fact that we have the largest Tongan per capita population in Utah of any state."

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image
Ryan Long, Deseret Morning News

Members of the Tongan United Methodist Church sing to mark arrival of Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, the king of Tonga.

previousnext

Latest comments

U.S. first lady tours quake-hit city

Lute | 4:48 p.m. July 9, 2009 I am glad you took notice again. I am a...

They served decent food but now they can rebuild and it will automatically be...

Owls need holes for nest

"Sounds like a good idea, wonder why they wouldn't do it." Er...ah......

Why not just tactfully say, "Edna, you don't look a day over 85."? Edna...

koc must do this trade

"More greed for more entitlements!" It was conservatives believing war was an...

If you support these criminals, you also support burglars, child molesters,...

Perhaps you could have said "why Marylyn, the unnatural stretching of skin...

Anonymous | 11:48 a.m You can't always wait for government. Sometimes you...

Problem is: Jazz dont learn! They will repeat the same mistake time after...

Advertisements