The History of St. Michaels
In 1840, a small Catholic community, gathering along the banks of a stream on Oahu, established the Waialua Catholic Mission. In time, other people from different places and cultures joined this community of faith.
On May 8,1853, 150 years ago, the people and friends of the Waialua Catholic Mission built the first Roman Catholic Church in the North Shore area. In a dedication ceremony, they placed the new church and new parish under their patron saint: St. Michael the Archangel. This event marked the beginning of St. Michael Parish, as recorded in Diocesan records.
As the Waialua Catholic Mission grew, the community became interested in building a new church to replace the chapel. The community discussed this idea with Father Raymond Delalande, SS.CC., who became Pastor of both the Waialua and Waianae missions in 1848. Father Delalande then presented their request to build a new church to Bishop Maigret who, in turn, conferred with King Kamehameha IV.
The King granted Bishop Maigret’s request, and by Royal Patent, awarded the Vicariate the land parcel required to build the new church. Bishop Maigret arranged to have a master carpenter and a mason help with the construction. The architects and contractor, skilled tradesmen, the Catholic community, and friends then proceeded to build the first Roman Catholic Church in the North Shore area.
To build the church, workers gathered boulders, rocks, and stones from nearby areas. They also collected coral, pounding it into lime to be used as cement. They laid the foundation, set the walls, placed the rafters, and covered the roof. With hard work, they built a church 33′ x 84′ with a tower three stories high. The second story of the tower contained the pastor’s quarters. A ten-foot steeple and cross crowned the third story belfry. To reinforce the structure, the builders also constructed several buttresses along the sides of the Church and along the back of the sanctuary’s wall.
In 1853, when the first St. Michael Church was built, people lived in the nearby camps. During a 60-year period thereafter, people began moving out of the camps to those established closer to the sugar mill or other places several miles away from the church. Despite the problems of distance, some of the faithful, in dwindling numbers, still attended church services.
In 1923, after a fire destroyed the first replacement church and rectory, parishioners constructed the second replacement St. Michael Church. With the help again of Mr. William Goodale, manager of the Waialua Agricultural Company, Father Konze and the St. Michael community built another Church, this time patterned like the San Gabriel mission church in California. So named after the archangel Gabriel meaning “Strength of God,” the San Gabriel mission was the only mission of the twenty-one with architecture patterned after the Cathedral Cordoba in Spain reflecting a distinguishing pattern of buttresses. During the construction period, Father Konze conducted services in a large warehouse functioning as a temporary chapel provided for use by Mr. William Goodale. In November 1923, the contractor, Bolen and Company, completed the building of the third St. Michael Church in Waialua.
From the 40’s to present day, the St. Michael Filipino Catholic Club, together with people from other ethnicities, participated in various parish, vicariate, and diocesan events. These events included organizing Flores De Mayo processions; cleaning Church and school property; conducting various fundraising activities; organizing rosary prayers and novenas; putting up Christmas decorations, awarding annual scholarships; organizing Field Day and Dawn Masses, helping in building maintenance and repair work; initiating recognition events for priests and sisters; providing delegation and support to the DCFCC and the religious community; and serving on various ministries and volunteer programs.
Hawaii Catholic Cemeteries
Saint Michael - Waialua - Oahu
67-390 Goodale Avenue Waialua, HI 96791
[email protected]
It is our pleasure to faithfully report that the first Phases of our new Columbaria are underway. Niches are now being purchased or reserved for our community member’s final resting place. In preparation for our upcoming annual Memorial Day Mass, we invite you to consider referring names to be included on our beautiful new "Cenotaph."
What is the Right Thing for You?
Each of us must sooner or later prepare for our own end-of-life journey. Planning your own memorial and funeral benefits your family, and the community we are part of. Talking about and exploring your personal preferences; having open, honest, family discussions, provides you the time to think through how best to manage your final wishes. It is certainly one of the most loving and significant determinations you can make for yourself, your family, and our Catholic Community at St. Anthony’s.
Talking about my Funeral?
If we talk about it at all, we may use words such as “I want to be buried” or “I want to be cremated.“ Then, when death occurs, our family is left to guess, make decisions, and worst face costs, at a time of great personal stress and grief. Your family could be forced to debate what they think you would have chosen for your Catholic funeral arrangements and memorial at St. Anthony’s – if only you were still around to ask.
Remembering Others?
We often do not remember the names and faces of those who built St. Anthony’s or who were Veterans of our community – can you help us remember and honor them at our upcoming Memorial Day Mass?
What do I need to do?
You can pre-plan your funeral and memorial, and also help us remember St Anthony’s friends and family not yet memorialized. Recognizing the importance of making your own plans, and taking an active role, is the first step.
When you feel ready, we ask that you contact and meet with our new Director of Hawaii Catholic Cemeteries, Mr. Duane Pavao.
Duane can be reached at 808-783-6778, or [email protected]
