Star of the Sea Painted Church

Star of the Sea Painted Church is a historic Kaimu chapel known for colorful murals, stained glass, Father Damien artwork and its 1990 lava-flow relocation.

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Star of the Sea Painted Church, Big Island

With frescos and stained glass adorning the interior, the Star of the Sea Painted Church boasts a history as colorful as its walls. The paintings tell the story of Father Damien Devester, a Belgian priest who helped Hansen's disease (also known as leprosy) patients on the island of Molokai and later died from the disease himself.

The upper section features paintings by another Belgian missionary, Father Everist Gielen, who began constructing the church in 1928. The paintings cover the arched ceiling across the length of the church. In 1964, artist George Heidler from Athens, Georgia, completed the interior by painting the lower panels and altar section.

The church used to be located in Kalapana, but after a lava flow came dangerously close to it in 1990, they church was moved. Otherwise, it would have been destroyed. The Star of the Sea Painted Church is on the National Register of Historic Places, a list of places whose preservation is actively supported by the government.

Key Features

Historic painted chapel near Kaimu
Built in 1928 by Father Everist Gielen
Colorful ceiling and wall murals fill the small interior
Murals include artwork connected with Father Damien and Molokai history
George Heidler completed lower panels and altar artwork in 1964
Stained glass adds color inside the church
Moved from Kalapana in 1990 after lava threatened the original location
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Small grounds and garden areas surround the chapel
Visitors should keep the visit quiet and respectful when entering the church

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much time should visitors allow?

Most visits are brief, often 15 to 30 minutes, depending on whether the chapel is open and how much time you spend looking at the paintings.

Is the church always open inside?

Open hours can vary, so visitors should be prepared to view the grounds from outside if the chapel is closed during their visit.

What is special about the paintings?

The murals cover the ceiling and interior panels, with religious scenes and artwork connected with Father Damien and Hawaii's Catholic history.

Why is the church near Kaimu now?

The church was moved from Kalapana in 1990 when lava threatened the original site, saving the building from being destroyed.

What can visitors see nearby?

Nearby places include Kaimu, Kalapana, lava-flow landscapes, Pahoa-Kalapana Road and the newer shoreline areas shaped by recent eruptions.