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| PAINTED CHURCH |
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PAINTED CHURCH |
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| If you like history, then be sure to take a drive south on Hwy 11 to Captain Cook where you can see the historic St. Benedict’s Church, known by locals as simply, “Painted Church.” The church, seated high on a hill and overlooking beautiful Kealakekua Bay, was first built by Father Joachim Marechal of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Society, in 1842 on the shore of Honaunau near the City of Refuge and was originally called St. Francis Regis Chapel. Here, the church opened the first Catholic school in the south Kona and Ka’u Districts. Father Joachim died in 1859 and was followed by Father Aloys Lorteau who tended the church’s flock for the next 37 years of his life until his death in 1898 |
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| By the mid 1880’s, many of the Hawaiian residents had moved away from the Honaunau beach seeking the more fertile lands on the leeward slopes of the volcano, Mauna Loa. A Belgian missionary, Father John Velge arrived in Hawaii in 1899 to replace Father Aloys. Since the church had dwindled, Father Velge decided to relocate the church to a more populated area. With the help of local villagers and their mules, the church was dismantled and moved it to the present location where it was reconstructed and repaired. To further beautify the small church, Father John then hand-painted the interior walls with three dimensional religious paintings inspired by the gothic cathedral of Burgos, Spain. Father Velghe wanted to help the locals, most of whom were illiterate, enjoy the biblical stories of the church through his colorful and detailed paintings. The paintings were created with regular house paint on ordinary wood walls. In 1902, Bishop Ropert visited the church from his base in Honolulu and consecrated it, and named it in honor of St. Benedict, the father of Western monasticism. In 1904, Father John’s health deteriorated and he had to return to Belgium still leaving a few panels of the church wall unpainted. Today not only is the church famous for it’s beautiful paintings and koa wood alter, the exterior is also famous for the belfry and it’s interesting lattice work entry |
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Today, mass is celebrated most days and the second Sunday of each month is the Hawaiian Mass with readings and music in Hawaiian with breakfast following the service. There is a cemetery and cross topped by a replica of Michelango’s “Pieta” on the grounds to visit as well. You may also see one of the two parish cats, Beatrice or Benedict who also roam the grounds. To get to Painted Church, take Hwy 11 to Napoopoo Rd. Turn left onto Middle Keei Road and then right on Painted Church Road. The church will be on the left side of the road. |
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