Welcome back to National Parks & other public lands with T! If you are seeing this on Twitter or Facebook, please visit the blog to see all of the photos and read the story by clicking the link.
Saint Benedict’s, also known as The Painted Church, is an active Catholic Church in Honaunau on the big island of Hawaii. It was built between 1899-1902 by Father John Velghe. Velghe was a Belgian missionary who sought to convert the native Hawaiians to Catholicism.
Velghe painted frescoes along the interior ceiling and walls of the church for instructional purposes since most of the locals at the time couldn’t read. The murals on the side walls depict various scenes from the Bible.
The murals behind and above the altar create the illusion of a European cathedral with vaulted ceilings, though the church is a simple wooden structure.
Our ‘Best of Kona’ excursion with Norwegian Cruise Lines stopped here first. We were invited to go inside where a volunteer told us about the Painted Church and its history. Then we exited to make way for the next group of visitors.
By the front steps is a statue honoring Saint Damien. Fr. Damien de Veuster was also a Belgian Catholic Missionary who ministered to the lepers on Molokai. He ultimately succumbed to the disease himself, passing away the year construction on St. Benedict’s began.
The church and cemetery overlook beautiful Kealakekua Bay. We snapped a few more photos before boarding the tour bus to continue our journey.
Kona Posts:
- St. Benedicts
- Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park (Coming Soon)
- Royal Kona Coffee (Coming Soon)
- Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park (Coming Soon)
- Huliheʻe Palace (Coming Soon)
- Mokuaikaua Church (Coming Soon)
Location: 84-5140 Painted Church Rd, Captain Cook, HI 96704
Designation: NRHP
Date designated or established: May 31, 1979
Date of my visit: 4/17/2019
Beautiful church. The painting is incredible.
Thanks for reading and commenting 😊. Yes, the priest was quite an artist
From your photos it looks like Velghe had a good understanding of perspective. There’s a real sense of space in the interior shots which, when compared with the photos you’ve taken from outside, is obviously just an illusion.
You’re right…it’s actually a small building. I guess he was making it look like the grand European cathedrals from his memory.
very beautyful park!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks 😊
Such beautiful murals in a small space. 😊
😊
Awesome, I remember being assigned to Ft Shafter on Oahu and the locals at the local church could sing and play until the walls shook, I’d like to go back and see the other and this one ..
Thanks for sharing 😊
Love to go back and see this, the locals can make the churches rock on till the walls shake with song
🙏🏻🙏🏻
Pingback: St. Benedict’s Painted Church: NRHP | researchesofjoannemariesworld
Thanks for the repost😊
Beautiful paintings lovely views
Thanks 😊
Pingback: National Parks USA Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park
Beautiful murals! The church is very charming.
Thanks 😊. The priest who painted them was a talented artist