Mokuaikaua Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mokuaikaua Church |
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| Location | 75-5713 Alii Drive Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Congregationalist |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Founded | 1820 (congregation) |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Years built | 1835–1837 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Stone, limestone, ʻōhiʻa |
Mokuaikaua Church is a very old and important church. It is located on the "Big Island" of Hawaii. This church is known as the oldest Christian church in all the Hawaiian Islands. People started gathering for church services here in 1820. The church building you see today was finished in 1837.
Contents
The Church's Early Days
How the Church Started
The first church group began in 1820. It was started by Asa and Lucy Goodale Thurston. They were American Christian missionaries. They arrived on the ship called the Thaddeus.
King Kamehameha II and Queen Regent Kaʻahumanu gave them permission. They could teach about Christianity. The royal court later moved to Honolulu. The missionaries briefly moved there too.
In October 1823, they heard exciting news. People in Kailua-Kona were interested in new ways. They had even built a small wooden church.
Building the First Church
The very first church building was on land from Royal Governor Kuakini. This land was across the street from his Huliheʻe Palace.
The first church was made from Ohiʻa wood. It had a roof made of thatch. The name moku ʻaikaua means "district acquired by war" in the Hawaiian language. This name probably came from the forest where the wood was found.
The Stone Church Today
After some fires, the current stone church was built. It was constructed between 1835 and 1837. Some of the stones used came from a nearby Heiau. A Heiau was an ancient temple of the Hawaiian religion.
The inside of the church is decorated with beautiful Koa wood.
Mokuaikaua Church Today
Visiting the Church
Mokuaikaua Church is still used today. It is open for people to visit and take tours. You can see some interesting items on display. One item is a small model of the Thaddeus ship.
Other important people from the first missionary group were Rev. and Mrs. Hiram Bingham I.
Historic Recognition
The church is a very important historical site. It was added to the state historic place register in January 1978. Its site number is 10-28-7231.
On October 3, 1978, it was also added to the National Register of Historic Places listings on the island of Hawaii. Its number there is 78001015.
See also
- List of the oldest churches in the United States
Images for kids
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The steeple has long been a landmark, around 1883.
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A close-up photo of the Church in 1890, before the gate was built.
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The gate of the church was built around 1900.
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The gate of the church as it looks today.
