Makawao Union Church facts for kids
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Makawao Union Church
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South elevation in 2010
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 Location in Maui
Location in Hawaii
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| Nearest city | Makawao, Hawaii, US |
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| Area | 1.7 acres (0.69 ha) |
| Built | 1917 |
| Architect | C. W. Dickey |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 85003227 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 17, 1985 |
Makawao Union Church is a beautiful church located near Makawao on the island of Maui, Hawaii. It was started a long time ago by a New England missionary named Jonathan Smith Green. This happened when Hawaii was still a kingdom. The church building you see today was designed by a famous architect, C.W. Dickey. It was finished in 1917 and was also known as the Henry Perrine Baldwin Memorial Church.
In 1985, Makawao Union Church was added to both the Hawaii and National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important historical site.
Contents
Early Church Buildings
In 1870, Henry Perrine Baldwin, his wife Emily, and their children joined the church. Henry was the organ player for over 40 years. Henry Baldwin and his brother-in-law later became very rich. They started a big company called Alexander & Baldwin.
Reverend Green, who founded the church, passed away in 1878. His wife, Asenath Green, and later their daughters, Mary and Laura, helped keep the church going. Reverend Green's son, Joseph Porter Green, also served at the church. He was even elected to the Hawaiian Kingdom's government in 1860.
The First New Building
In 1888, Henry Baldwin offered the church a new place to build. This spot was where an old sugar mill used to be. The mill was called Paliuli, which means "green cliff" in Hawaiian. It was like a special, beautiful place.
A new church was built there. It looked like a white wooden church from New England. It was officially opened on March 10, 1889. A community building, called the Pāʻia Community House, was built next to it in 1914. This house had a big hall and a deep stage. People used it for plays, concerts, school events, and even silent movies.
The old church's location became a cemetery. Later, the Maui Veteran's Cemetery was built right next to it. A Hawaiian pastor named John Kalama served both Makawao and Poʻokela churches until he passed away in 1896. The first wooden church building was used until about 1900. In 1889, a new pipe organ was bought for the church. Henry Baldwin bought it while he was in New York.
The Stone Church Today
The wooden church was taken down in 1916. Construction then started right away on a new stone church. This new building was designed in the Gothic Revival style. The architect was Charles William Dickey, whose mother was related to Emily Baldwin. Many people say this church is one of his best designs.
The stone church was officially opened on September 2, 1917. It was about the same size as the old wooden building. It even used the same foundation from the old sugar mill. Henry Alexander Baldwin, Henry Perrine's son, spoke at the opening. An organ was given to the church in memory of Harry Baldwin's sons, Jared and Leslie.
Building Details
The church walls are made of strong concrete. They are covered with beautiful basalt lava rock veneer from Hawaii. The roof is covered with slate tiles that came all the way from Vermont. Four stained glass windows and the church bell from the old building were used again in the new one.
The church has a tall tower in the Norman style. This tower has a Seth Thomas clock with three faces. You enter the church through big oak doors in this tower.
Austin Craig Bowdish was the pastor when the church was dedicated. Augustine Jones became the pastor in 1921. In 1938, an earthquake on Maui damaged the community house, but the strong stone church was fine.
On June 29, 1985, Makawao Union Church was added to the Hawaii Register of Historic Places. Then, on December 17, 1985, it was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Hawaii.
Today, the church calls itself a "community church with Congregational heritage." This means it welcomes people from different Christian backgrounds. As of 2019, the pastor was Rev. Robin Lunn. The road that goes past the church is named Baldwin Avenue, after the Baldwin family. The church is located at 1445 Baldwin Avenue, Makawao, Hawaii.
Church Cemetery
The church has a cemetery located about 3.9 miles southeast of the church building. Many important people are buried there. This includes the original missionary family: Theodosia Arnold Green, Jonathan Smith Green, and Ansenath Cargill Green.
Other notable people buried there include:
- Harry Baldwin, a politician.
- Annie Montague Alexander, an explorer and scientist.
- Many other members of the Alexander and Baldwin families.
- James Dole, who owned the world's largest pineapple plantation.
- Anne Alexander and Charles Henry Dickey, who were the parents of the architect Charles William Dickey.
The Maui Veteran's Cemetery is also nearby. It holds the graves of two actors:
- Horror movie actress Evelyn Ankers.
- Her husband, Richard Denning, who was in the TV show Hawaii Five-O.
Images for kids
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Northwest corner
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Southwest corner
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Roof slate
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NRHP plaque
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Bell tower
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Stained glass windows in west side
