The Tongan Catholic community in Auckland is in mourning after a fierce early morning fire tore through St Mary’s Church in Avondale, causing significant damage to the beloved place of worship.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) responded to the blaze around 4:15 am after reports of flames engulfing the church building at St Mary’s Catholic School on Great North Road.
Seven fire crews battled the flames, successfully extinguishing the fire, but not before the structure suffered extensive damage.
Members of the Tongan Catholic congregation have shared emotional messages and images of the destroyed church, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of a spiritual home that held decades of memories, prayers, and community gatherings.
“We are deeply saddened to wake up to this tragic news,” said a spokesperson for the parish.
“Our priority is the safety of our community. St Mary’s Primary School is closed for the day and we will keep the community updated.”
The church serves a large Tongan congregation in the area, and its hall has also been a gathering place for members of other Tongan denominations for events and functions.
Kaniva News came across pictures and posts about the incident on Facebook, shared by Tongans in Auckland.
School Closed, Investigation Underway
As a precaution, St Mary’s Primary School has been closed for the day while authorities assess the damage.
FENZ is investigating the cause of the fire, with no further details released at this stage.
The Tongan Catholic community is calling for prayers and unity during this difficult time. Local parish leaders have assured worshippers that updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
“We are grateful to emergency services for their efforts and are working with the authorities to manage the situation safely,” the parish statement continued.
“Fire and Emergency New Zealand is assessing the extent of the damage and investigating the cause. We thank the community for their support and ask for patience and understanding during this time.”
