A $500,000 renovation of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa in Macandrew Rd is about to begin.
A special service and blessing had been held to mark the start of project, which is expected to take up to six months to complete.
Church minister Posala Tioa Fogavai said the community had been fundraising for the renovations of the more than 50-year-old chapel and hall facilities.
"We want to make sure it is safer for the community to use and ensure our youth have a place for themselves in the future."
Opus was overseeing the project, which involved bringing the facilities up to building codes, he said.
The work would mean the hall was not available for community use during the project but the chapel would be.
Funding for the project had come from a variety of sources and the congregation was still fundraising, he said.
The Otago Community Trust had granted $45,000 for the roof, the McMillan Trust $50,000 for upgrading the stage and the AAW Jones Charitable Trust $20,000 for the kitchen.
The church had a congregation of about 100 people, including 30 families.
