St. Benedict’s Painted Church

Hawaii's History & Historic Places > Hawaii's Historic Places > Big Island > St. Benedict’s Painted Church

St. Benedict’s Painted Church, built in 1899 near Kealakekua Bay, is renowned for its interior murals, hand-painted by Father John Velghe. The artwork was created to teach Bible stories to Hawaiian locals who were largely illiterate at the time. The vibrant and educational murals make this an enduring symbol of missionary ingenuity and cultural exchange.
(Sources: Shaka Guide, Kona Directory)

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About the Author

jillradke

Jill Byus Radke has written about Hawaii's historic places for over 25 years. Before becoming the President of Apuakea Communications, she was the Public Affairs Manager at Aulani, A Disney Resort, the Director of Communications at Bishop Museum, and the Director of Development at Historic Hawaii Foundation. She's also held leadership roles at Kaiser Permanente, Macmillan Publishing, and the USS Missouri Memorial Association. She graduated from Harvard University with a Masters in Business Management, from Indiana University with a Bachelors in Journalism, and she did her graduate studies in historic preservation at the University of Hawaii.

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