BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) is preparing to build its new Provincial Headquarters, to be called the Saints of Melanesia Provincial Headquarters.
A groundbreaking ceremony for this significant project was held yesterday at the former Provincial Headquarters site, next to the Provincial Press and ACOM Bookshop in Point Cruz.
During the ceremony, ACOM Archbishop Leonard Dawea highlighted the importance of this development. He remarked, “The new ACOM Provincial Headquarters will be named Saints of Melanesia. This structure will replace the original office building, which has served the church since its establishment as a province in 1975.”
Archbishop Dawea described the new facility as a modest two-story building that will incorporate Melanesian culture and embody the humility of the church as the body of Christ.
He noted that the previous headquarters, constructed in the early 1970s after ACOM was granted the land title on November 1, 1969, had effectively served its purpose as the church expanded into more dioceses and increased its administrative staff.
However, by 2000, the old building could no longer meet ACOM’s growing needs. Discussions for a replacement began in 2012, leading to the ACOM Trust Board’s establishment of a task force to plan for a new office. In 2015, an Australian Volunteers International representative recommended transforming the old headquarters into a three-story building to house church offices and commercial rental spaces.
Archbishop Dawea explained that by 2018, the Melanesian Mission Trust Board (MMTB) of New Zealand recognized the urgent need to replace the aging structure, which had become unsafe. The building had leaking roofs, malfunctioning electrical systems, and a deteriorating environment unsuitable for staff.
In 2019-2020, the MMTB took charge of the project, overseeing its technical and financial aspects. James Cubitt Architects (JCA) of Australia were engaged for the architectural design, although progress was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the setbacks, consultations continued to ensure the building’s design met ACOM’s needs. The new facility will be exclusively for church offices and related activities.
Archbishop Dawea expressed confidence in the project, saying, “We anticipate that the Saints of Melanesia building will create a transformative presence in the central business district of Honiara City.”
