For 100 years, the Mary Ballentine Memorial Chapel in Nailaga Village, Ba, has welcomed several generations of people to worship, celebrate new beginnings and farewell loved ones.
And just like the woman that the chapel is named after, it has hosted the faithful with true humility and passion, often going unrecognised until decades later.
However, on June 9 this year the people of Nailaga gathered to commemorate the life of Sister Mary Ballentine who dedicated her life to educating young Fijian women, with the chapel being the symbolic centre-piece of that dedication, care and love.
The chapel was renovated for the occasion by a dedicated committee that spent years organising and raising funds of more than $20,000. Nailaga Builders director Apenisa Lumelume said the project was a test of dedication by all those involved.
“There were many sleepless nights trying to get our boys to finish the work on time,” said an emotional Mr Lumelume at the completion of the renovation.
“I did not get anyone from outside. Everyone who worked on the chapel was from the village.
“I remember there were times when I had to forgo keeping money for myself because I wanted to ensure all our boys got paid first for their work. They did a great job and everyone is very proud of how it turned out.”
That sacrifice was evident in every aspect of the chapel’s centennial celebration. Villagers travelled from afar with more connecting online to commemorate the event.
Mary Ballentine Memorial Chapel tuirara, Reverend Sekove Veisa, said for years the people of Nailaga have had a deep connection with the church.
“Chiefs have been installed in this church,” Mr Veisa said and their burial services have been done here.
“Hundreds of funerals, dedication services, you name it, the people of Nailaga have marked or celebrated it in this chapel. ]
“So, it was only right that we renovate it and put it back to what it once was because we want it to be around for our future generations just like it was around for our forefathers.
“This is a very significant moment for Nailaga villagers.” Mr Veisa said the chapel was also of significance to all Methodists because it carried the name of Sister Mary Ballentine.
“She was the flower of Matavelo. She came to Nailaga and started a school where she worked during the CSR era and saved her money for the education of our children.
“That alone was enough for the people of Nailaga to remember her this way – by building a chapel in her name.”
The life of Sister Mary Ballentine has been well documented in the annals of the Methodist Church in Fiji. While remembering Sister Ballantine, the church’s Ba district secretary, Reverend Tawake Waqavono, described her as “the flower plucked untimely”.
“In her first few years serving in Fiji, Mary Ballentine saw the need for proper medical care for pregnant women,” Mr Waqavono said.
“In one of her letters, she wrote that it was important for young women to learn about their health and wellbeing to prevent their deaths while giving birth.
“If they were not properly taken care of, the future of Fijians could be at risk.”
Mr Waqavono said during Sister Ballantine’s tenure in Nailaga, she also made a significant contribution to the education of young villagers.
“She experienced many challenges in Ba and one of them was acquiring educational materials and changing the attitude of Fijians towards education.
“She took on that challenge of teaching iTaukei women and did odd jobs like washing people’s clothes to earn money.”
Money and savings, according to Mr Waqavono, were collected and later given to build Ballantine Memorial School after her death on June 26, 1920.
“This woman may not have been recognised in New Zealand, but in Fiji her contribution has been immensely significant,” he said.
“That is why today in Nailaga, Ba, there is a chapel named after her.”
The Mary Ballentine Memorial Chapel was officially opened on June 9, 1923, three years after Sister Ballentine’s passing.