One Of The Oldest Standing Christian Churches In Hawaii Is Kawaiaha’o And It's A Work Of Art
By Megan Shute|Published March 24, 2020
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
Religion has played an important role in the history of the Hawaiian Islands. When Christian missionaries arrived in the islands, they brought with them their belief system and the church. From small rural chapels to huge cathedrals located in the heart of Hawaii’s capital, you’ll find countless beautiful churches across the Hawaiian Islands, including one of the islands’ oldest standing Christian churches.
Nestled in the heart of Honolulu, Kawaiaha’o Church is an absolute beauty to behold, whether or not you are a practicing Christian.
Popularly known as Hawaii’s Westminster Abbey, Kawaiaha’o Church was once the national church of the Kingdom of Hawaii, and the chapel for the royal family. The church was frequented by Hawaiian chiefs, and state burials, as well as the baptisms of ali’i, were held here.
Kawaiaha’o is also the oldest church on Oahu and one of the oldest standing Christian places of worship in the state, though four thatched-rook churches stood at or near the present site before construction of this coral church.
The Kawaiaha’o mission was started in 1820 and the physical church was constructed between 1836 and 1842 from approximately 14,000 thousand-pound slabs of coral rock that was quarried from an offshore reef on the southern coast of Oahu.
Inside, portraits of Hawaiian ali’i line the walls of the balcony, and though designed in a simple New England style, the church is a true work of art. The organ dates back to 1964 and features 2,500, the largest of which is 22 feet long and one foot in diameter and the smallest of which is the size of a pencil.
Along with the Mission Houses, which comprise the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site, the church was designated as a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1962 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.
Kawaiaha’o still uses the Hawaiian language during their services today, one of the only churches in Hawaii to do so. Devout Christians and history buffs are sure to find this historic site fascinating.
For more information about Kawaiaha’o Church, visit their website. Have you ever experienced the beauty of this historic church for yourself? If so, share your experience with us in the comments below.
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