Tears flowed as members of the Free Church of Tonga in Levin saw the nearly complete renovations of their church for the first time this week.
For many of the Tongan community, it was the first time they had seen the improvements, made possible with a $461,172 grant from the Government's Provincial Growth Fund last year.
For years the church on Bruce Rd was little more than a shed.
Free Church of Tonga Fale Lotu Connections Project representative Rob Fifita-Tovo said church members were "over the moon" about the renovations.
"The church is the highest priority for the people of Tonga and is a place where members spend a lot of time together, and having the church and hall renovated means we'll have modern, warm facilities that will provide more options for hosting events and other congregations," he said.