St Benedict Catholic Church, known as the Painted Church, is a small Catholic church in Captain Cook on Hawaiʻi Island. Inside, Father John Velghe’s murals cover the walls and ceiling, blending European church imagery with Hawaiian scenery. Look up at the open rafters, then walk through the old cemetery on lava ground, where graves overlook the ocean. The church is an active place of worship, so visit quietly and leave room for services. It is a peaceful stop for art, local history and a coastal view.
The Painted Church in Captain Cook
St Benedict Catholic Church stands at 84-5140 Painted Church Road in Captain Cook. It is also called the Painted Church for the murals that cover its interior. The church is a working Catholic place of worship as well as a stop for visitors interested in its paintings and history.
The building dates to 1899, when Belgian priest John Velghe came to Hawaiʻi. Velghe was self-taught as an artist. He modelled the church’s vaulted nave on a Gothic cathedral in Burgos, Spain, then painted religious scenes across the walls and ceiling. The European architectural form sits within a Hawaiian landscape, a contrast that runs through the artwork.
Murals and cemetery grounds
Inside, look across the painted walls and up toward the open rafters. Velghe’s trompe l’oeil paintings combine church imagery with local scenery; one scene places Jesus casting out the devil against a landscape resembling Pololū Valley. The murals are original paintings from the early 1900s and have not been restored.
Outside, the old cemetery sits on lava ground among tropical plants and trees. Its graves and headstones look out toward the ocean. Take time to see the church and grounds at a quiet pace, and treat the cemetery as a place of remembrance.
Planning a respectful visit
The church is open to visitors, but access may be affected by worship or other church activity. Check the official website before going, and keep your visit quiet if people are praying or a service is underway. The site has parking and restrooms, including wheelchair-accessible facilities and parking.
There is no entry fee. Donations are welcome. Caretakers and volunteers may be able to share local stories about the church and its community, but allow them to continue their work without interrupting.
Preguntas frecuentes
Is there an entry fee for the Painted Church?
Entry is free. Donations are welcome.
How long should I plan for a visit?
A brief stop can take about 10 minutes; allow up to an hour to see the church and cemetery grounds.
What is special about the church interior?
Father John Velghe painted original murals across the walls and ceiling in the early 1900s. The scenes combine European religious imagery with Hawaiian scenery.
Is the cemetery open to visitors?
The old cemetery is on the church grounds, overlooking the ocean. Visit quietly and treat it as a place of remembrance.
