Expedition Team: Dave Miller, Rosie Miller
Date: March 11, 2025
Nestled on the slopes of Mauna Loa overlooking Kealakekua Bay, this St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church, also called Hawaii’s first painted church, is both an active church and a historic landmark. Set within Kona’s coffee belt, the church was built in 1899. Father John Velghe, a self-taught artist, decorated the interior walls and ceilings of his miniature Gothic Cathedral with colorful paintings. Six murals were about spiritual and biblical scenes such as (Photo#3) Jesus being tempted by the Devil and the appearance of the Cross to Saint Francis (Photo#4). Outside the church on the church grounds were beautiful flower gardens and an old cemetery.
