Apifo'ou College | Photos

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Apifo'ou College

Adveniat Regnum Tuum

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Founder of Apifo'ou College, Bishop Jean-Amand Lamaze

Ma'ufanga / AFC Brass Band at 'Ahopanilolo 1884

'Ahopanilolo circa 1886

Cathedral at Ma'ufanga, Tonga's first ever coral-stone edifice, was blessed by 'Epikopo 'Olepio in 1886. The two front towers and wings at the back were later added in the 1920s during Tipanio's time and were blessed in 1933.

Cathedral at Ma'ufanga, Tonga's first ever coral-stone edifice, was blessed by 'Epikopo 'Olepio in 1886. The two front towers and wings at the back were later added in the 1920s during Tipanio's time (blessed in 1933).

Fr Emilien Thomas (1861-1942), holder of a licentiate in theology from Rome, was Principal of 'Api Fo'ou soon after he arrived in Tonga in February 1888 until 1906. Fr Thomas was largely responsible for setting up the college as a self-sustained boarding school.

Fr Emilien Thomas (1861-1942), holder of a licentiate in theology from Rome, was Principal of 'Api Fo'ou soon after he arrived in Tonga in February 1888 until 1906. Fr Thomas was largely responsible for setting up the college as a self-sustained boarding school.

Ma'ufanga / AFC Brass Band with Fr Olier circa 1886-1890. Established since 1883 or earlier by Fr Olier (AFC Principal from 1881-1887), it's one of Tonga's earliest brass bands, if not the earliest.

Fale Peato: construction started in 1893 led by the Principal, Fr Thomas. Walls of the little chapel were made of coral stones fetched from the sea. It was blessed by 'Epikopo Olepio on 28 April 1896.

'Api Fo'ou circa 1896

Setefano Moala of Ma'ufanga, first 'Tata Tapafa' (square hat aka dux) of 'Apifo'ou in 1910

From left: Fr Edward Tremblay (AFC Principal 1925), Fr Albert Kerrmann, Fr Alexandre Poncet (later bishop of Wallis/Futuna), Bishop Blanc (AFC Principal 1918), Fr Emilien Thomas (AFC Principal 1888-1906), Fr Petelo Makameimoana, Fr Kelekolio Kailao (AFC Principal 1926-1938)

Taumu'a Lelei 1933

Fr Paul Boussit, Principal of 'Apifo'ou from 1939-1940

An artist's impression of the Principal's House at 'Apifo'ou in 1941

Principal of 'Apifo'ou, Fr John Rodgers, with his pick of the crop, Soane Foliaki and Patelisio Finau, just before the two young lads were sent to continue their secondary studies in NZ at St Patrick's College (Silverstream) in 1947

25-year-old Fr John Hubert Macey Rodgers was made Principal of 'Apifo'ou within an hour of his arrival at Nuku'alofa aboard M.V. Matua from New Zealand on February 23, 1941. He was Principal for the next 12 years until appointed Bishop in 1953.

He was appointed in the following year (1953) Vicar Apostolic of the Vicariate of Tonga, and in 1966 became the first Bishop of the newly erected Diocese of Tonga

St Joseph's Chapel: construction started with the blessing of the foundation stones ('Tanupou') by 'Epikopo Tipanio on 27 June 1950 (cf. College Diary p. 46). The work was led by Lemoto Ongolea and helped by the senior students. Foundation stones were fetched from Kao and Tofua. The chapel was completed and blessed by Fr Paul Boussit on 29 April 1953.

Fr John Rodgers and Fr Edward Tremblay (Patele 'Etuate), renowned missionary of the Ha'apai Islands and for a few months at least Principal of 'Apifo'ou in 1925

First ex-students of 'Apifo'ou to become priests, 3 Diocesans & 3 Marists

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©2021-2023 Fr 'Ekuasi Manu, SM

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