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 |
The Makawao Union Church is a special church located near Makawao on the beautiful island of Maui. It was started a long time ago by a New England missionary named Jonathan Smith Green when Hawaii was still a kingdom. The church building you see today is the third one used by the people who worship there. It was designed by a famous local architect, C.W. Dickey, and opened in 1917. It was also known as the Henry Perrine Baldwin Memorial Church. Because of its history and unique design, Makawao Union Church was added to both the Hawaii and National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
Contents
The First Church Building
In 1870, a family named Baldwin joined the church. Henry Perrine Baldwin and his wife, Emily Alexander Baldwin, were very involved. Henry played the organ for over forty years! Henry and his brother-in-law later became very rich. They helped start a big company called Alexander & Baldwin.
The first pastor, Reverend Green, passed away in 1878. His family, especially his daughters Mary and Laura, continued to care for the church. Reverend Green's son, Joseph Porter Green, also served the church. He was even chosen to be part of the Hawaiian Kingdom's government in 1860.
Building a New Church Home
In 1888, Henry Baldwin offered the church a new place to build. This spot was on the old foundation of the Paliuli Sugar Mill. This area is now known as Rainbow Gulch and Rainbow County Park. The name Paliuli means "green cliff" in Hawaiian. It's like the Hawaiian version of the Garden of Eden!
The new church was built in a style common in New England. It was a white wooden building and opened on March 10, 1889. Next to it, the Pāʻia Community House was built in 1914. This building had a large hall and a deep stage. It was used for many fun events like plays, concerts, and even silent movies! The place where the old church used to be became a cemetery. Later, the Maui Veteran's Cemetery was built right next to it.
A Hawaiian pastor named John Kalama led services at Makawao and Poʻokela churches until he passed away in 1896. The original wooden church building stood until around 1900. In 1889, a new pipe organ was bought for the church. Henry Baldwin bought it while he was visiting New York.
The Stone Church Building
The wooden church was taken down in 1916. Construction on a brand new stone church started right away. This new building was designed in the Gothic Revival style. This style often features pointed arches and tall windows, making buildings look grand. The architect was Charles William Dickey, whose mother was Emily Baldwin's sister. People say it's one of his best designs!
Features of the Stone Church
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 original Paliuli Mill. Henry Alexander Baldwin, also known as "Harry," spoke at the opening. He was Henry Perrine Baldwin's son. The church's organ was given in memory of Harry Baldwin's sons, Jared Smith Baldwin and Leslie Alexander Baldwin.
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 from Vermont. Four colorful stained glass windows and the church bell were moved from the old building to the new one. The church's tall tower has a clock with three faces made by a company called Seth Thomas. You enter the church through large oak doors in this tower.
In 1938, an earthquake on Maui damaged the community house. Luckily, the stone church was not harmed. On December 17, 1985, Makawao Union Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places listings in Hawaii. This means it's recognized as an important historical site. Today, the church welcomes people from different Christian backgrounds. It calls itself an "interdenominational, community church." The road past the church is named Baldwin Avenue, honoring the Baldwin family. The church is located at 1445 Baldwin Avenue, Makawao, Hawaii.
Church Cemetery
The church cemetery is 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 here include:
- Harry Baldwin (died 1946), who was a politician.
- Annie Montague Alexander (died 1950), an explorer and scientist.
- Many other members of the Alexander and Baldwin families.
- James Dole (died 1958), who owned the world's largest pineapple plantation.
- Anne Alexander (died 1940) and Charles Henry Dickey (died 1932), who were the parents of the architect Charles William Dickey.
The Maui Veteran's Cemetery is also nearby. It is where two actors are buried:
- Evelyn Ankers (died 1985), a horror movie actress.
- Her husband, Richard Denning (died 1998), 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
