UCCtruths

By Pastor Ted Weis, Congregational Church, Little River, KS

A historic church in Hawaii that is part of the United Church of Christ has begun a bold new building project in an effort to better reach its community.

Kawaiaha'o Church, Honolulu's first church, is tearing down two older facilities and replacing them with a state-of-the-art $14.5 million multipurpose center, which will sit next to its 165 year old landmark sanctuary.

"We want to look to the future," Kahu Curt Kekuna, senior minister at Kawaiaha'o told the Honolulu Advertiser. "Buildings are buildings. But what they provide, what they do, that's what matters."

Church members are hoping the new facility will help draw in new members and reach the next generation of people for Christ. At its peak in the 1960's, attendance at Kawaiaha'o was over 2,000. Today, about 500 people attend.

The historic sanctuary of Kawaiaha'o--often called "Westminster Abbey of Hawaii"-- was completed in 1842 and features New England style architecture. It is on the national and state registers of historic places.

While the story line of mainline churches has been one of decline, it's inspiring to see one church take courageous steps to build a brighter future.