Cook Island Christian Church (CICC)
Cook Island Christian Church (CICC)
Cook Island Christian Church (CICC)
4.5
About
Sunday services are filled with hymns sung in the Maori language at this island church which dates back to 1853. The local graveyard is noted for some famous inhabitants including American author Robert Dean Frisbie.
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4.5
359 reviews
Excellent
277
Very good
70
Average
10
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Ruth A
Lower Hutt, New Zealand17 contributions
Aug 2022
Went out of curiousity and also becasue one of our party hadn't been to church for years. About 2/3 were Kiwi, mostly sitting at the back. The Cook Island ladies wear white dresses and straw hats and the men white jackets and pants. The Minister welcomes the visitors in English but the rest is mostly in their language. The singing is great. There is an opportunity to give in the offering. We enjoyed the experience but thought the preaching could have a bit of English to maybe give a bit of spiritual uplift to visitors who might not regularly go to church. Lovely people who made us feel welcome.
Written 12 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JeanAustria
Austria111 contributions
Never before have I enjoyed church services as much as I did in the South Pacific. The singing is simply amazing and incredibly uplifting. One of our nicest experiences was at the CICC chuch just along the road from Muri in Raratonga. We were all personally welcomed into the church and afterwards invited by one of the elders to partake of food and refreshments. It was a good opportunity to hear more about the history of the Cook Islands and their islanders and to meet other travellers. The church really went out of their way to welcome us and even today several months after the church service I still want to rave about the ladies decorative straw hats in the congregation.
Written 18 April 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PhillippaW
Sydney, Australia98 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
Yes, the singing of the women, children and men is really lovely. However, we tourists should be aware that the singing is in a Church and that the local people take their Sunday services very seriously. They dress up and expect other attendees to show respect. I heard an elder indignantly ask a young man in thongs, shorts and singlet sitting near the outside entrance: "Do you think this is the beach?". So if you do go, wear appropriate clothing that will not offend. Also, don't take the seats from the local regular attendees. It is a very popular service.
Written 9 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wanderandshare
Brisbane, Australia67 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
WOW!
The singing from this choir was beautiful.
This is the place to experience the local culture.
You should not miss out on this opportunity during your stay.
The service takes place every Sunday and everything is totally free. You may give a donation to the church if you wish.
After the service you are invited to a free buffet lunch. Everyone is made to feel welcome. The food served was lovely.
Thank you for sharing your culture and the wonderful hospitality!
The singing from this choir was beautiful.
This is the place to experience the local culture.
You should not miss out on this opportunity during your stay.
The service takes place every Sunday and everything is totally free. You may give a donation to the church if you wish.
After the service you are invited to a free buffet lunch. Everyone is made to feel welcome. The food served was lovely.
Thank you for sharing your culture and the wonderful hospitality!
Written 16 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrandmrsbeas
Sydney, Australia534 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
As visit to Church when you are in the Cook Islands is a beautiful experience. Sunday service starts at 10am. The entry should be by the back door - the front door is reserved for the minister and special guests. Ladies should have covered shoulders and no short skirts or shorts. A hat should also been worn.The service is in a mix of English and Maori but the singing is something else! I got goosebumps whenever the singing started. The men and women naturally harmonise and create beautiful music. Don't forget some money for the collection. The service goes for around one hour. Highly recommended.
Written 31 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olga
Perth, Australia41 contributions
Nov 2016 • Family
Very authentic experience with unique singing! Allow more time for welcoming morning tea afterwards.
Written 19 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Happycampers4v
Melbourne, Australia58 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
We attended the 10.00 o'clock service. We were warmly welcomed and felt comfortable. We were welcomed in English and it was explained to us that the service would be in both Maori Island and english language. Very uplifting and the singing was so beautiful. We were made very welcome and invited to go for a cuppa and lunch after the service. Very enjoyable and well worth the experience.
Written 18 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zachary W
Claremont, CA272 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
The missionaries decimated the Cook Islands population and eliminated all native cultures...and now the islanders respect them with these massive churches. Church, religion, and missionaries are a waste of time--stay away!
Written 17 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter T
Sydney, Australia24 contributions
Dec 2012 • Family
wow!! the sound of the singing has to be experienced! you could not capture to feeling of those voices on a CD, has to be listened to live. The harmonies and vocal techniques are a real thrill to experience. the hospitlaity of the morning tea afterward by the church was very welcoming and friendly. this is MUST DO!
Written 10 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Williamsfamily2014
Ashburton, New Zealand34 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
We, my husband and I recently stayed at the Muri Beach Club Hotel and attended a Sunday morning service at the nearby Cook Islands Christian Church. We received a warm welcome on arrival, and guided to seating. A beautiful experience hearing the amazingly talented harmonious strong voices of the parishioners' singing fill this lovely church. The service and hymns were given in a mixture of English & the local Maori language. This was followed by a friendly morning tea afterwards. Thank you to the parishioners for sharing this experience with us.
Written 3 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
how long is the service please and is it walking distance from the Pacific Resort at Muir Beach ? Thank you
Written 24 December 2022
Can someone help me with the address of the church in Sydney please. I need help CICC church in Sydney
I didn't go to church for the past weeks. I heard it's in Sydenham but dont know the full address. Need help please
Thank you and God bless
Written 5 February 2022
We land early on a Sunday would like to attend. Is there a shuttle from Sunset Resort?
Written 19 January 2019
I would just ask the resort, find how close you are. The pick up was worth the 10 dollar return. Don’t miss the service it was fantastic .
Written 20 January 2019
What is the dress code for men and women attending church in the Cook Islands?
Written 17 October 2018
That's a really good and thoughtful question.
The dress code for the local people is formal white clothes so women in long white dresses and men in white shirts and dark trousers.
I would recommend that you wear a dress or long sleeved top and long skirt for women and long pants and a shrt sleeved shirt for men as a mark of respect for the
Written 18 October 2018
Hello we are planning a trip to Rarotonga & would like to know if donations to the church is acceptable & if it is ok to wonder around the grave sites, we do not want to upset any customs of these beautiful people. Thankyou
Written 23 January 2018
I agree with all that Rosieaus has said. Be respectful, dress in smart casual, and remember that it is a church service, rather than a tourist destination. The people are very welcoming and you would find it most interesting to engage in conversation with them after the service.
Written 23 January 2018
There seem to be a number of CI Christian Churches on the Island according to my guide book. Which is the main one with the 10:00 Sunday service? Location?
Many thanks
(Coming from Canada the end of February)
Written 22 January 2017
Hello there, I have been to this church in the cook islands. It is lovely to go there on sunday to experience the singing, the sermon (which is mostly in cook island Maori) and the sense of peace that comes from being in a spiritual place of worship, acknowledgement and all that. Clothing attire for men is an island style shirt of a polo (short sleeved of course, feb is quite hotstill) ladies all wear a sunday dress below the knees with covered sholders. Most ladies in the church had their sunday hat on which you can pick up at the markets in town. I absolutely loved attending church (I am not a regular church goer) however, the beauty of the church grounds resonated with me and my friends, it was loveli. xox all the best enjoy, message me if you want to know the best places to eat. By the way on Sunday it is illegal to sell wine in the bottle shops, and all of the restaurants are closed, and there is no sale of alcohol in the general stores also. Which is perfectly fine, sunday after all should first and foremost be a day of rest, not drinking.
Written 20 February 2017
don't understand people giving this a poor review its not a tourist attraction its church what were you expecting full on lights and glitter show....seriously
Written 2 May 2015
Hi Louise, I totally agree with you. All rather strange what peoples expectations are. For me it was a wonderful experience and when visiting Raro again this will be on my to do list !
Written 18 October 2016
Julie G
Pomona, Australia
Are the men in the Cook Island mostly reserved and emotionally restrained?
Written 21 February 2015
No. They are friendly and polite. Islanders can appear reserved when you first meet them but that is the island way, it is a sign of respect and courtesy. Once you make friends you have a friend for life. The nicest people you could hope to meet.
Written 21 February 2015
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