Captain Cook, Big Island, Hawaii: Painted Church
1899 church with elaborate interior scenes painted by a priest.
St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church
- Address:
- 84-5140 Painted Church Rd, Captain Cook, Big Island, HI
- Directions:
- St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church, on Painted Church Rd.
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St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church was erected in 1899 by Father John Velghe. 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.
[Jim Banocy, 09/07/2013]Nearby Offbeat Places



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The interior of the church is painted with colorful landscapes and Biblical scenes. Convenient stop on the way to the old Hawaiian Place of Refuge.