The first church on this site on Devon Street was erected in 1844 by Rev. Robert Ward, the first Primitive Methodist minister in New Zealand. This was demolished about 1900 due to its poor condition. In 1903 Methodist services resumed in the Fitzroy Hall and finally on 22 November the foundation stone for a new church was laid.
The second church was built in 1906 and was officially opened on 13 January 1907. The plans were drawn by Mr F.C. Griffiths and Messrs. Pickett and Wilkie were the contractors. A Sunday School was added in 1919 at a cost of £128.
To cater for a growing congregation the church was further extended to its present road-side frontage in 1923. The stained glass window, "The Bread of Life", dedicated to the memory of Robert Ward, was included in the front wall. ("The Methodist Church of New Zealand, Seventy-Five Years at Fitzroy", by John E. Hodder).
Ian Pritchard, in his book about Frank Messenger, has identified these 1923 additions as the work of the firm, Messenger, Griffiths and Taylor.
In 1997, during construction work, two skeletons were uncovered next to the church, leading to the discovery of 21 burial sites. Plans to move the bodies were abandoned after complaints from relatives. On 3 July 1999 a memorial service was held and a remembrance plaque unveiled for the Methodists buried there.
At the time there were also discussions about selling the church. This did not proceed, and the church is now (2023) known as the Samoan Methodist Church.
Related document:
Church on the Te Hēnui skyline (Sunday Express 25 October 1981)
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