Christ Church Episcopal in Kealakekua, the state’s oldest wooden Episcopal church constructed in 1867, recently underwent a glow up.
The project scope included both interior and exterior repairs to the walls, roof and steeple, along with upgrades to electrical, flooring, ADA-compliant ramps and more.
See the exterior transformation in the gallery below.
The church's mauka wall pictured before the renovation. (Christ Church Episcopal in Kealakekua) 
The mauka wall under construction. (Christ Church Episcopal in Kealakekua) 
The completed mauka side. (Christ Church Episcopal in Kealakekua) 
A view of the church's makai wall before it was restored. (Christ Church Episcopal in Kealakekua) 
The makai side of the church pictured during the restoration process. (Christ Church Episcopal in Kealakekua) 
A closeup of the completed makai side of the church. (Christ Church Episcopal in Kealakekua) 
The church's steeple pictured prior to restoration. (Christ Church Episcopal in Kealakekua) 
Steeple pictured during the renovation. (Christ Church Episcopal in Kealakekua) 
The completed steeple. (Christ Church Episcopal in Kealakekua)
Construction work on this 19th-century frame church building with a steep gable roof and bell tower bearing a cross began several years ago and wrapped last November. It is listed in the Hawai‘i Register of Historic Places, with ties to Queen Emma during a time when the Anglican faith was flourishing in the Islands.
More recently, the church was rededicated and unveiled to the Kona community, according to one of its staff members.
“The community was thrilled about it. We’re a small church and almost everybody pitched in redoing the carpets, painting and donating monetarily,” Office Administrator Janet Britt told Aloha State Daily.
She said the current congregation size is between 50 to 90 people, not including guests who visit from across the globe. “We welcome everybody with open arms.”
The church holds Sunday services at 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., which includes readings from the Bible, prayer and song. The Rev. Canon Dwight Brown serves as a part-time vicar for the church, which is governed by the Bishop’s Committee.
“Christ Church is a Christian Community responding to the love of God by worship, spiritual nurture and active social concern,” its mission statement reads.
Bishop's Warden Nathan Smith and People's Warden Jeanne West kept the restoration project on track.
Jaime Busch was the architect and Mark Hummel Construction was the contractor. Construction paused during the peak Covid years, Britt said, adding that the total cost of the project was about $300,000.
She helped secure funding via grants and donations. Grants were awarded from the Atherton Family Foundation and the Freeman Foundation in cooperation with the Historic Hawaiʻi Foundation.
The church property also includes a cemetery, Wallace Hall, two housing rentals and the Queen Emma Community Center, where the church met during the renovation.
This church is a treasure for all of Hawaiʻi's people and we hope to restore it for current and future generations,” Britt wrote in grant application. “As Queen Emma found so many years ago, this church exists solely to provide love and care for the generations of families who live and worship in Kona, including Kealakekua, Captain Cook and as far away as Waimea and Ocean View.
“One of the most important things weʻve learned from this phased approach to renovations is that as people see the progress of the work, enthusiasm continues to grow among our parishioners. ... We see Christ Church growing and that is the most exciting outcome!”
So, what does a restored historic church mean for its surrounding community and beyond? In short, safe and renewed spaces for celebrations, gatherings and other events.
Cultural groups meet to practice weaving, quilting and ukulele. Vendors utilize the certified kitchen on campus for their businesses. ʻAha Punana Leo O Kona Hawaiian immersion school convenes in Wallace Hall, while Partners in Development Foundation’s Tūtū & Me program provides much-needed early childhood education and parent support.
“There are so many community members who depend on Christ Church for spiritual renewal, but we are also there to lend a helping hand to pay a utility bill, to provide diapers and food, and to provide families with non-perishable food items,” Britt said. “The community needs Christ Church and we need your help.”
CONTACT
Christ Church Episcopal Kona
Address: 81-1004 Konawaena School Road, Kealakekua
Phone: 808-323-3429
Email: ChristChurchHawaii@gmail.com
Website: christchurchkona.com
Sunday services: 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
