The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-04-01

Moiliili church. one of the old mission
establishments of Hawaii. built in "A,
and just repaired at cost of about
$4,000, was dedicated again TO divine
services yesterday and rechristened the
Rice Memorial chapel, in honor of the
founder, VINO not only established the
church, but worked as laborer on the
building 1t is one OF the oldest
churches in the islands, and for some
years It's stone walls have been about
all that remained secure. Now il is to
enter upon another period OF use
fulness.
The church was beautifully decorated
for the dedication ceremonies in which
the Kawaiahao church choir and the
Revs. Kincaid, Parker, Westervelt,
Desha and TimoteO took part. After
an invocation by the Rev. Il. Tmoteo
and reading of Scripture in Hawaiian
with few remarks by the Rev. II. II.
Parker, an address was delivered by the
Rev. w. NJ Kincaid.
Some interesting bits of history of the
old church We're given by the Rev. Mr..
Westervelt and Mother Rice in papers
read before the congregation. The old
pulpit used is the same from which the
famous Rev. Leonard Bacon preached
many sermons in New Haven, Connec-
ticut. Many years ago, when the mis-
sionary work in the Islands was still
young, the famous old minister sent the
pulpit to Kawaiahao church; it came
in a sailing vessel around Cape Horn
and when it reached Honolulu was
placed in Kawaiahao church, where it
remained until it was removed to Ka
Moiliili church.
The following letter which Mr.. Wes-
tervelt had received from Mother
Rice was read by him to the congre-
cation:
II can give you very little informa-
ton in regard to the Moliili church,
which Mr.. Rice added to his duties at
Punahou where we were located by the
mission in 1874. He helped in the build
ing of the native church at Manoa and
Moiliili and a church near Punahou, the
building now used as a school house
near the residence of Professor Alex
ander. He assisted in the building of
the three churches and usually attend
ed in one or the other Sunday after
noon. l recollect his. coming home very
tired one day, saying I have been
shingling on the Moiili church today
/ do not know just when this was. but
think il was about 1850.
During the prevalence of the small
pON the temporary hospital was erected
by the Government between PunahOu
and Moiliili church. Mr.. Rice spent his
time with the sufferers, ministering to
them. 1T was a time of great suffer-
ing. ! have kept few records. / close
with real gratitude and thankfulness
that the old church has been restored.
Your friend, MOTHER RICE"
\ following statement in regard to
the old church which through the gen
erosity of =. d. r.. Isenberg has been
repaired at n cost approXimating near
$4,000, was read by Mr.. Westervelt also.
1t contained the following:
"Moiliili is a part of the large work of
Kawaiahao church.
"As early as 1880 the missionaries had
schools and services in villages sur
rounding Honolulu, for which grass
churches were built.
I'm 1914 Rev. w. II. Rice and his wife
took charge of the school at Punahou
and visited both Sabbath and week
days 'apanas' of Moliili, Manoa and
Makiki. Mrs. Rice, now known every
where throughout the islands as
Mother Rice, says: 'Punahou, the
princely gift of Father Bingham, was
not, as now an inviting place. 1t was
without flowers and trees and was con-
nected with Honolulu by a treeless
plain This was the general appear
ance of the country between Honolulu
and the desolate region back of Dia-
mond Head.
Nevertheless, Father Rice commence
er at once to build churches in the
three districts under his care. The
streams from Palolo and Manoa valley,
were bordered with taro pat IN IS and
the homes of natives.
Here the churches were built on the
uplands back of the water courses. Nj.
Rice carried on this work while in
Punahou and later gave it over to The
care of the different Kawaiahdo B5,S-
tors"