Most often referred to simply as, “The Painted Church,” this small, uniquely adorned church in Honaunau on Hawaii’s Big Island is formally named St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church. Part of the South Kona Catholic Church, St. Benedict’s has become a popular visitor stop because of its colorfully painted interior.
From the photographer:
This is a really cool place way up above the Place of Refuge in Kona…Worth the drive…Interesting history www.thepaintedchurch.org
The church was built in 1899 by a Belgian, Father John Velghe.
From the Painted Church Website:
Without any professional training and using house paint on ordinary wood he beautified the church with his paintings. In those days few Hawaiians could read and so he taught with pictures-most successfully.
