Star of the Sea Painted Church, Big Island

Star of the Sea Painted Church at a Glance

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 died helping lepers on Molokai Island. Damien founded the church to minister the victims while they were in quarantine, and over the years, various artists added to the collection in honor of the kindly priest.

The upper section features paintings by another Belgian missionary, Father Everist Gielen. The paintings cover the arched ceiling across the length of the church. In 1941, more than a decade after it was built, artist George Heidler from Athens, Georgia completed the interior by painting the lower panels.

The colorful church stands in stark contrast to its surroundings, a desolate town destroyed by a lava flow in 1990. As such, much of the road is covered and lava and can be traversed only by a four-wheel drive. There are only a few houses around, and the only other establishments are a small inn and occasional food stalls. After the eruption, the church was moved to its present location to avoid the lava flow.

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. The church is open without charge every day of the year. Viewing hours are from 9am to 4pm, but the best time to go is early morning when the roads are friendlier and the area is not too crowded.

Star of the Sea Painted Church in Bullet Points

Star of the Sea Painted Church Location

Address: Pahoa Kalapana Road, Kaimu, 96778

Star of the Sea Painted Church Map (top)

Kaimu Weather (top)

Now
76°F
Windchill:
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
Location: Pahoa, HI, US
Wind: 7 mph N
Humidity: 64%
Visibility: 0.1 mi
Pressure: 30.01 in steady
Sunrise: 6:29 am
Sunset: 6:29 pm Sun
Hi: 77°F
Low: 65°F
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Mon
Hi: 76°F
Low: 65°F
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