Takaroa (French Polynesia) Branch

I wanted to take the opportunity to highlight a really beautiful little chapel located on the island of Takaroa in French Polynesia. The atoll that includes the island has about 882 people. A Church News article in 1991 noted that 68% of the people on Takaroa were members of the Church, so it is a center of strength for Mormonism.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

The chapel for the Takaroa Branch began construction in 1891. Andrew Jenson, a historian for the Church, visited in March 1896 and noted at that time that the walls had been completed in September 1895 and they were waiting on the roof, but it would take over another decade for the chapel to be completed.

The walls were constructed using large blocks of coral that were bound together with a cement made out of smaller coral stones. Wood was used to frame the vaulted windows (which have stained glass) and doors.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

A lot of the pictures from the Church History Library appear to be taken when the building was in a state of disrepair. A cyclone in 1906 destroyed virtually everything on the island except the chapel. Other cyclones in 1982 and 1983 also destroyed many buildings, but the chapel remains, in good condition.

The chapel looks in great condition today. Excepting the Gadfield Elm chapel (in Great Britain), it may be the oldest chapel outside of the United States. It's a lovely piece of Mormon Architecture, in what many would consider to be an unlikely place!

Inside are 14 rows of wood benches and a wood podium. The bottom panes of the stained glass windows can open for a breeze.