Holy Innocents Episcopal Church is an open-sided church at 561 Front Street in Lahaina, with Hawaiian art woven into its Christian imagery. The building’s breezy interior is a calm place to attend a service or pause to see paintings of a Hawaiian Madonna, native birds and plants. Sunday worship includes Hawaiian greetings and may feature congregants in traditional Samoan and Tongan clothing. The church stands on land with royal connections, making it a meaningful stop for visitors interested in Lahaina’s history as well as its religious life.
A church shaped by Lahaina’s history
Episcopal missionaries first came to Lahaina in 1862 and built a church across the street from the present site. The congregation moved in 1909. The land had once held a thatched home for a daughter of King Kamehameha I, and Queen Liliuokalani also spent time on the grounds.
The current church building dates to 1927. Its location connects the parish’s story to Lahaina’s royal past, while the church itself remains a place of worship.
Hawaiian subjects in the artwork
Paintings inside the church bring local references into Christian imagery. They include a Hawaiian Madonna, an outrigger canoe and scenes of farmers harvesting taro, alongside depictions of birds and plants native to Hawaii. The works depicting the Madonna and local wildlife were painted by DeLos Blackmar in 1940.
The sanctuary’s open sides and large panels allow air to pass through. During services, Hawaiian greetings and acclamations are part of the worship. Sunday services can also include congregants wearing traditional clothing from Samoa and Tonga.
FAQ
When was Holy Innocents Episcopal Church built?
The present church building was built in 1927. The Episcopal congregation first established a church in Lahaina in 1862.
Where is Holy Innocents Episcopal Church?
It is at 561 Front Street in Lahaina, Hawaii.
What can you see inside the church?
The artwork includes a Hawaiian Madonna, an outrigger canoe, taro farmers, and paintings of birds and plants native to Hawaii.
