HISTORY OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH ON WEST KAUAʻI
The Episcopal Church in Hawaiʻi began in 1862, when King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, a lifelong Anglican, invited the Church of England to Hawaiʻi. The King and Queen supported the Church’s establishment throughout the islands with gifts of land, and by founding St. Andrew’s School in Honolulu.
Episcopal services were held on West Kaua'i as early as 1916. Although there was no Episcopal Church at that time, services were first held in the gardens of a private home in Kekaha. Later, a screened porch in a plantation clubhouse served as the church meeting place.
Construction of St. John’s Church in Ele’ele was completed in 1941. It was then that the first vicar was called, the Rev. John Thurlow Baker.
St. Paul’s Church was completed a few years later, in 1947. Since that time, St. Paul’s and St. John’s have been served by the same vicar.
In 1993, St. John’s and St. Paul’s were merged into one congregation with two locations under the name of the Episcopal Church on West Kauaʻi.
Today, the Episcopal Church on West Kauaʻi is the only church in the liturgical tradition (besides the Roman Catholic Church) to serve the people of West Kauaʻi.
Episcopal services were held on West Kaua'i as early as 1916. Although there was no Episcopal Church at that time, services were first held in the gardens of a private home in Kekaha. Later, a screened porch in a plantation clubhouse served as the church meeting place.
Construction of St. John’s Church in Ele’ele was completed in 1941. It was then that the first vicar was called, the Rev. John Thurlow Baker.
St. Paul’s Church was completed a few years later, in 1947. Since that time, St. Paul’s and St. John’s have been served by the same vicar.
In 1993, St. John’s and St. Paul’s were merged into one congregation with two locations under the name of the Episcopal Church on West Kauaʻi.
Today, the Episcopal Church on West Kauaʻi is the only church in the liturgical tradition (besides the Roman Catholic Church) to serve the people of West Kauaʻi.
Celebrating 75 Years at St. John's
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On Sunday, May 1, 2016, St. John's Episcopal Church in Ele'ele celebrated its 75th anniversary. Members from both St. John's and St. Paul's, who make up the Episcopal Church on West Kaua'i, joined in the celebration on a picture-perfect day. Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick and wife Bea were on hand to share in the festivities where there were lots of food, music, hula and fellowship.
Special special guests who flew in for the celebration included John Baker, the son of the first Vicar of St. John's, who was born on Kaua'i the year after his parents arrived. He shared wonderful stories of his childhood. Two of St. John's earliest members are the Yoshikawa sisters: Sue (Nishikawa) who now lives in Indiana, and her sister Yukiko (Akiyoshi), who is 94 years old, flew in from Honolulu. Julie Rentrop and Lyn Farman (Bishop's Warden) worked hard to organize this very special event. |
(Photos by S. Nishioka)
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St. George's Window
Shortly after the end of World War II, the Japanese congregation of St. John’s wanted to give something in memory of the men of the 442 Regiment who were from Kauai of Japanese decent and who died in the war. The decision was made to donate a stained glass window of St. George slaying the dragon. The model used for the face of St. George was that of a young member of St. John's, Richard "Masa" Sako (1924-2004). The inscription on the window is from Malachi 2:10: "Have we not all one Father? Have we not One God who created us?"
Shortly after the end of World War II, the Japanese congregation of St. John’s wanted to give something in memory of the men of the 442 Regiment who were from Kauai of Japanese decent and who died in the war. The decision was made to donate a stained glass window of St. George slaying the dragon. The model used for the face of St. George was that of a young member of St. John's, Richard "Masa" Sako (1924-2004). The inscription on the window is from Malachi 2:10: "Have we not all one Father? Have we not One God who created us?"
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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
ON WEST KAUAʻI MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 247, Ele'ele, HI 96705 PHONE: 256-679-3854 Kahu Kerry+ 808-335-5533 Office NEW EMAIL: ecwk247@outlook.com |
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St. John's Episcopal Church
322 Mehana Rd., Eleele, HI 96705 St. Paul's Episcopal Church 8640 Kiowea Rd, Kekaha, HI 96752 |
