New church in Kona to include some of the old

Hawaii Catholic Herald

When the new St. Michael Church is built in Kailua-Kona, it will contain elements of the 160-year old structure it is replacing — stained glass windows, lava rock, an 1853 bell from France, and something more unusual: the mortal remains of Father Joachim Marachel.

He is the Sacred Hearts priest who built the original church in 1850 and was buried beneath it in 1859.

Following demolition of the earthquake-damaged church last month, local archeologist Bob Rechtman secured the priest’s bones and is keeping them in a safe place for reinterment under the future church when it is built.

Another element being carried over is the church’s appearance. At the request of the parish community, the new church will resemble the old one.

Also to be built will be a community/administration center and a social outreach building with an upstairs apartment for priests.

The termite-ridden, former convent will be leveled. The historic church cemetery, however, will not be disturbed.

The plans include “ample parking.”

This expansion of facilities on the three-acre property has required the removal or relocation of some of the trees.

A banyan tree in front, planted in the 1990s, has been cut down. The monkeypod tree next to the driveway was judged by an arborist to be dying and unsafe and has also been removed. The other monkeypods will remain.

Wood from the felled rear monkeypod trees will be used to create the new church’s interior furnishings.

Some palms have been relocated to the grounds of one of the parish mission churches, Immaculate Conception in Holualoa.

New trees native to Kona will be planted once construction is complete by landscape architect David Tamura.

Plans have the new church seating 400 people, according to Richard B. Leander Jr., chairman of the parish planning and building committee.

“We will also have an outdoor area between the buildings for social events,” he said in a news release. “We plan to use the space effectively.”

The old church was damaged in October 2006 by an earthquake that revealed a structure that had become unsafe over the years and was beyond repair. The church was immediately vacated and Mass has since been celebrated in a tent on the church grounds.

St. Michael Church and grounds underwent extensive renovation about 15 years ago. The parking lot was paved, the grounds landscaped and the church given a new altar, pews, statues, floor, and stained glass windows created by local artisans.

St. Michael Parish includes four other mission churches: Immaculate Conception in Holualoa, St. Paul in Honalo, St. Peter in Kahaluu and Holy Rosary in Kalaoa. It serves about 1,000 local families plus Kona tourists.

The parish has published a book on the history of the church titled, “North Kona’s Catholic Heritage … remembered.” For information, call (808) 326-7771. For updates on construction, visit the parish’s website: onecatholicohana.org.