Imiola Church
Encyclopedia
Imiola Church is a historic wood structure in Waimea, on the Island of Hawaii
, coordinates 20°1′32"N 155°39′46"W.
.
A grass hut had been built on this spot for visiting preachers some time before 1832 when Rev. Lyons arrived.
A new building was constructed of stone walls with a thatched roof between 1837 and 1843. One reason was the earthquake and tsunami of 1837 which caused some to believe (as preached by Millerism) that a new Advent
of Christ would arrive in 1843. However, membership of the parish dropped from a high of almost 5,000 to about 1200 by 1841.
By 1855 the stone church was in ruins, and a new church of about 40 by 60 feet (18.3 m) was started on August 29, 1855 made of koa wood (Acacia koa) from nearby forests. Some of the walls of the old church still stand, enclosing the grave site of Rev. Lyons, his wife, and a young son.
The name comes from imi ola in the Hawaiian Language
which means "seek salvation".
The church continues to be in use and is usually open to the public.
The current pastor is Kahu Dean Kauka of the Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ
. The state registry lists it as site 10-06-7151 as of July 25, 1981.
On August 28, 1975 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places
as site number 75000618.
Hawaii (island)
The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...
, coordinates 20°1′32"N 155°39′46"W.
History
The church was designed by its first pastor, Lorenzo LyonsLorenzo Lyons
Lorenzo Lyons or "Makua Laiana" was born in Colrain, Franklin County, Massachusetts, April 18, 1807. He graduated from Union College in 1827. Ordained as a Congregationalist minister at Auburn Theological Seminary, September 20, 1831, he embarked from Boston, Massachusetts on November 26, 1831, on...
.
A grass hut had been built on this spot for visiting preachers some time before 1832 when Rev. Lyons arrived.
A new building was constructed of stone walls with a thatched roof between 1837 and 1843. One reason was the earthquake and tsunami of 1837 which caused some to believe (as preached by Millerism) that a new Advent
Second Coming
In Christian doctrine, the Second Coming of Christ, the Second Advent, or the Parousia, is the anticipated return of Jesus Christ from Heaven, where he sits at the Right Hand of God, to Earth. This prophecy is found in the canonical gospels and in most Christian and Islamic eschatologies...
of Christ would arrive in 1843. However, membership of the parish dropped from a high of almost 5,000 to about 1200 by 1841.
By 1855 the stone church was in ruins, and a new church of about 40 by 60 feet (18.3 m) was started on August 29, 1855 made of koa wood (Acacia koa) from nearby forests. Some of the walls of the old church still stand, enclosing the grave site of Rev. Lyons, his wife, and a young son.
The name comes from imi ola in the Hawaiian Language
Hawaiian language
The Hawaiian language is a Polynesian language that takes its name from Hawaii, the largest island in the tropical North Pacific archipelago where it developed. Hawaiian, along with English, is an official language of the state of Hawaii...
which means "seek salvation".
Today
In 1955 the paint was removed from the interior and natural finish of koa wood was restored.The church continues to be in use and is usually open to the public.
The current pastor is Kahu Dean Kauka of the Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ
United Church of Christ
The United Church of Christ is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination primarily in the Reformed tradition but also historically influenced by Lutheranism. The Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches united in 1957 to form the UCC...
. The state registry lists it as site 10-06-7151 as of July 25, 1981.
On August 28, 1975 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
as site number 75000618.