Sunday morning, family members joined Rose at
St Johns Church on Wai-iti Road.
Here, on Trevor's return from war service in
1945, their marriage took place in the hall behind.
Today, this hall is used as a place of
devotion by the Samoan community. In 1945, the
Saint John's present building
was in the process of construction and had not been
completed.
Wedding Portrait - Trevor and Rose Oakley
This was said to Rose! "I saw you
get a chocolate for your birthday but....!!!
A basket with tinsel-clad chocolates is taken
around the seated congregation to convey congratulations to it's members -
birthdays, successes
eg. a minister participating in the service to celebrate
her ordination into the priesthood, family celebrations etc.

A feature of the service was the
participation of the congregation
and afterwards, a cuppa shared and
chat welcoming and encompassing all those present
Her family made known something Rose had kept well hidden
- that her marriage
so long ago was celebrated at this church - they
were fascinated to know this!

Guitar accompaniment to singing of hymns