Explore the Painted Church (St. Benedict) in Kona

Welcome to one of my favorite and one of the most colorful churches in South Kona – St. Benedict Catholic Church, also known as The Painted Church. If you plan a trip to the Big Island of the Hawaiian Islands, add the Painted Church in Captain Cook to your itinerary. This stunning church holds architectural and historical significance. It is a must-visit destination for travelers who like beautiful biblical artwork and hidden gems.

Exploring The Painted Church

Many travelers might say the art at The Painted Church is nothing like Michelangelo’s art, or some other famous artist. However, I would argue that in some ways the art at St. Benedict is better. Father John took his own two hands to dismantle and rebuild a church in his own way. He built a church! Then, he felt called to paint it through his vision of spreading God’s word. His work is detailed, personal, symbolic of the life he committed to serving God.

Intricate murals adorn the walls

From the beautiful gardens to the intricate murals adorning the interior walls, there’s no shortage of beauty and wonder to discover at this beloved landmark. To help plan your visit, we’ve compiled one of the most comprehensive travel guides online to the Painted Church in South Kona.

While there, we met a local St. Benedict parishioner (and her stray dog) sitting in a pew at the back of the church, as if waiting for us. She had a lot of local knowledge and expertise on the Painted Church. Her passion for St. Benedict Church was evident in the unsolicited private tour she gave us.

We were amazed at her knowledge of how the Painted Church came to exist. Below is some of the information she shared and that we learned on our adventure exploring the inside of The Painted Church.

Online tour of the Painted Church

Six murals adorn the interior walls of St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church. Below are the works of art along other significant paintings.

1. St. Francis of Assisi receiving the stigmata

2. Temptation of Jesus

3. The feast of King Belshazzar

4. Cain and Abel

5. A good death

6. Hell

7. Vaulted ceiling

8. Pillars

A brief history of St. Benedict Catholic Church

The church at its present location was originally St. Francis Regis Chapel. In 1842, this Chapel in Hōnaunau sat close to the ocean near Pu’uhonua o Honaunau or the City of Refuge.

Note: A Belgian priest dismantled every board and pew to carry uphill. St. Francis Regis Church’s new home became the leeward side of Mauna Loa, a 13,680-foot tall volcanic mountain.

Father John Berchmans Velghe

The Belgian priest, Father John Berchmans Velghe, is credited for building St. Benedict. He replaced Father Aloys Lorteau who died in 1898. Father Aloys Lorteau served Hōnaunau for 37 years. Seeking medical attention in Honolulu, he died traveling aboard the vessel Maunaloa on Easter Monday.

Dismantling St. Francis Regis Chapel

Father Velghe, credited with building St. Benedict, dismantled every board and pew of St. Francis Regis Chapel, to create the place of worship called the Painted Church starting in 1899. The blessing of the church took place in 1902 by Bishop Gulstan Ropert. Bishop Ropert named the church in honor Saint Benedict.

Building St. Benedict (the Painted Church)

Father John studied theology for two years in Spain. Here, ornate cathedrals and paintings likely influenced his artwork at The Painted Church. Even so, he was not formerly trained in painting. Father Velghe spent a lot of his life in South Kona. The church recalled him to Belgium when his health was failing and he died in 1939.

Note: Father Velghe moved the church because he followed his parishioners. His congregation of mostly farmers ran out of fertile soil. They determined that there were more rich soils two miles up the mountain.

How the Painted Church got its name

With no former professional training in building or painting, the industrious and productive Father Velghe got to work. Can you imagine how hard it must have been to carry materials two miles uphill to its present day site? He was probably glad he did, as the air temperatures were cooler and perhaps there were less bugs.

St. Benedict’s interior

As Father Velghe made the building back into a church, he put his personal touches on it. Father Velghe started painting the interior, and he was very busy! His medium being the interior walls of the church. When he painted the interior walls of the church he covered every inch!

The paintings were colorful scenes from the Bible, lives of the saints, and important religious truths. His biblical murals quickly became famous. As more people heard of the murals, this Kona painted church gradually became the nickname for St. Benedict’s Roman Catholic Church.

Why paint?

In the late 1800s in Hawaii, most locals could not read or write. The Belgian priest Father John felt that he could best teach his congregation and those interested in becoming Catholic through imagery.

In those days, few Hawaiians could read and so he taught with pictures-most successfully. He spent over four years with saw and brush to complete the structure and was then recalled to Belgium where he died in 1939.

What makes the paintings important?

1. The paintings are exceptional

First and foremost, the paintings are important because they are desirable works of art! No one’s going to look at an ugly painting and say they like it. Father Velge’s artwork is truly stunning and most people that enter the church are astonished to find out who the self taught artist was.

2. The artist was self-taught

It’s amazing to think how gifted Father John was in that he never had formal or any training to paint. Whether just talented or divine intervention, the church interior is simply beautiful.

One can really appreciate how much detail went into rebuilding the church architecturally. In addition, he left no details out of the paintings either, painting every inch of the interior over the course of four years.

3. He painted in 3-D

Many scholars are astonished he didn’t have formal training since he painted three dimensional images. Many of the paintings have perspective as if one’s looking into the painting.

Experts believe that had he known how difficult this would have been through any training, he never would have tried. Fortunately for us, he did try and the results were stunning.

4. He used what he had

What’s also important that this Belgian missionary who likely had little money and resources used what he had. It didn’t take the finest paints or the best mahogany wood to make the church. Rather, he got by with what he had. He used house paint for the interior artwork. He used an old church to build the Painted Church near Kona.

5. National Register of Historic Places

The artwork is so important that The Painted Church is listed on both the Hawaii State Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places (1979)!

The Painted Church’s architecture

The church is made of wood, a popular building material at the time of its construction. We know that Father John used materials from St. Francis church to rebuild what is now called St. Benedict.

The church’s exterior is well known for its belfry, a structure that surrounds the church bell. It too, similar to the artwork, is a masterpiece. In addition, the lattice work on the Painted Church’s interior and the vaulted ceiling are expertly done. Many think the ceiling mimics the Gothic nave at the Cathedral of Burgos in Spain where Father Velghe spent two years to study theology.

Location of the Painted Church

The Painted Church, located in South Kona coast in Honaunau, Hawaii is located on Painted Church Road. It is about 12 miles south of Kailua-Kona. You can take the Hawaii Belt Road and then turn onto Painted Church Road to get there.

Address

St. Benedict Painted Church
84-5140 Painted Church Road (Kona)
Captain Cook, HI 96704

Coordinates

19°26′6.252″N 155°53′17.952″W

Painted Church in South Kona Map

When to go to the Painted Church

The Painted Church in Kona, Hawaii is open to visitors every day of the week, and admission is free, although donations are appreciated. Visitors can enter the church and explore its interior, but they are asked to respect its sacred nature and not touch the artwork or disturb other visitors.

The church is typically empty, which adds to its peaceful atmosphere and allows visitors to appreciate its beauty truly. Avoid going during mass times to look at the church unless you’re attending mass! Most of all, be respectful for local parishioners as they worship. The church is located just up the hill from the parking lot.

Painted Church Kona Hours (when it’s open to the public)

• Tuesday through Friday
• 9:30 am to 3:30 pm

Mass schedule

• Saturday and Sunday at 8:00 am and 4:00 pm
• Tuesday, Thursday, Friday at 7:00 am

Exploring other painted churches nearby

The Painted Church is located in a remote area of South Kona, but visitors can another nearby painted church as well in Kalapana.

Star of the Sea Painted Church

The Star of the Sea Painted Church was built in 1927 under another Belgian priest named Father Evarist Gielen. Father Gielen painted the upper section of the church interior. Advancing law flow forced the relocation of the church to its present location.

The Star of the Sea church was decommissioned as a Catholic church by the diocese. Kalapana ‘Ohana Association now owns the church. Mass still takes place on the first Friday of each month. Local priests volunteer to serve mass.

• Only open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
• 9:30 am to 3:30 pm

Address

84-5133 Painted Church Rd (Kona), Captain Cook, HI 96704

Note: The Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park is a short drive away and is home to ancient Hawaiian ruins and cultural sites. The Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park is also nearby and offers beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean and hiking, swimming, and snorkeling opportunities.

Painted Church FAQ

1. How old is the painted church? 125 years old. 1899 seems to be the consensus for the date the church was built, but it wasn’t really completed until around 1902 (painting done).
2. What is the smallest church on the Big Island? The Little Blue Church is the smallest church with only 12 pews.
3. What is the religion on the Big Island? Christianity makes up 50% of the religion with Catholics being the majority.
4. Who built St. Benedict Church (The Painted Church)? Father John Berchmans Velghe built the church using materials from St. Francis Regis Chapel starting in 1899. He continued restorations and painted for about four years until 1902.
5. How have the paintings stayed in such good shape? The church’s doors are often open and with the salty, humid environment it’s astonishing the paintings have remained in good shape after being over 120 years old. Perhaps there’s a higher power involved.

The Painted Church glossary

1. Belfry: a bell tower
2. Father Damien: Belgian priest famous for sacrificing his life for helping lepers on the island of Moloka’i
3. St. Francis Regis Chapel: the church that was dismantled and used to build St. Benedict Church; his memorial sits at St. Benedict Church
4. The Painted Church: the nicknamed given to St. Benedict Catholic Church
5. Pillars: a vertical structure, made of wood that supports the framework of the ceiling in St. Benedict
6. Gothic windows: symbolized the spiritual order of the medieval world

The Painted Church in Kona is a unique and inspiring destination that should be on every traveler’s bucket list. It’s a testament to the artistic and cultural heritage of Kona and an unforgettable experience that will leave you in awe of human creativity.

Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or just looking for a peaceful and beautiful place in Kona, The Painted Church is the perfect bucket-list destination.