My review is based on the history and architecture of the church and not on attending a service. I am fascinated by architecture and Hawaii offers unique examples of missionary architecture that you just don't see anywhere else in the U.S. So while most visitors go to the beach, I'm most likely poking my nose in old buildings. Central Union Church captured my imagination. The church was built in 1922, but its history dates back much further. Seamen's Bethel was established in 1833 to minister to sailors stopping in Honolulu. This small group grew organically and through a merger, building larger structures until construction of the current structure began in 1922 and completed in 1924. Ralph Adams Cram of Boston was the architect of the structure that is considered by some as the most beautiful church. The Colonial Revival stone block structure is impressive. The local volcanic stone is from the, now closed, Mo'il'ili Quarry. The interior maintains elaborate cornice detail and stained glass windows. I could feel the history when I walked into the massive sanctuary. The building and spire were renovated in the 1980's through local donation. A smaller chapel was added in 1949 with similar architecture. A dedicated parking lot is located west of the sanctuary. This magnificent church is worth a visit if you are interested in historical architecture. read more

See all

My own church since childhood, they focus on service. Beautiful people, welcoming all, the Senior Minister is, IMNSHO, literally a saint. Gorgeous music, friendly congregation. I love my church. Come worship with us and celebrate the love that never faileth. read more

This church is historic and majestic. I am sometimes in charge of arranging flowers in the church, and I am filled with the Holy Spirit and create very moving flowers. I would love for everyone to come and see it. read more

See all

This is only a review of their annual performance of "The Messiah" by George Friedric Handel, because how do you review a church, really? This one is "Godier" than the others? Okay, it's not the whole Messiah, it's just Part One (of three) plus the Hallelujah Chorus. Which essentially means you don't have time to fall asleep (oops, I didn't say that). Having said that, this annual event is clearly a labor of love and very professionally done, despite being amateur community performers. The setting is lovely (albeit a tad warm), and the music fills the church. Personally, I recommend the seats in the rear nave of the balcony, as they pick up all the harmonics and reflected sound as well as the direct sound. read more

For the past 14 years my family has had the pleasure of attending the Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children's Annual Memorial Tree Trimming Service held at the beautiful Central Union Church. This Annual Memorial Tree Trimming Service has helped many families who have lost children and needed a sense of purpose. Our family needed a sense of purpose 14 years ago when we lost our second oldest grandchild Trystyn. This was the hardest thing as a family we ever had to endure. Like every family that loses a loved one we went through the stages of grief and kept wondering why god took her from us. My daughter's coworker had a similar loss and she had discovered the Tree Trimming Ceremony and was nice enough to share the information. As a family we decided that first Christmas without her to open our hearts and attend the service. The service was filled with families of every type. I was very emotional and had a hard time keeping the tears from flowing, but as I glanced around I noticed many had a hard time controlling their emotions and their tears. That's when I realized that our family was not alone and that being with this group of families would give us comfort and restore our faith. Every year there is a brave family who shares their story. It hurts my heart to hear the stories and I can never control my tears, but in a strange way these stories have help my family heal and believe again. Each family brings ornaments to honor their loved one and when it's your families turn your loved ones name is called out and a bell is rung. The story goes: Every time the bell rings an Angel gets their wings. The ornaments are then placed on a Christmas tree for everyone to share in the beauty. Our family has made this our annual celebration of our Angel Trystyn who we hold dear in our hearts. It never gets easier, but it does help us to keep our faith and reminds us to love again... Thank you Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children, Central Union Church and and the many people who help to insure this special service continues each year. Your gift has helped so many families heal and believe in their faith once again. Mahalo read more

I was calling for time for eve candle light service Should leave the time on recording . The office is not open read more

This church and I go waaaayyy back...back into time! I was baptized here as a baby, grew up here at the preschool, Sunday schools, went through all the childrens choirs as directed by the great Roy Hallman, did musicals upon the red carpeted steps of the stage, played various roles in the Christmas pageants on white gift Sunday and live nativity, did countless Easter egg hunts on the great lawns, got confirmed in the church in 8th grade as a member....and then kind of fell away, to a different church with a more active youth group (at the time). This church was always a second home to me. I knew all the secret hiding spots and nooks and crannies...I'd play in the sanctuary while my parents rehearsed in choir, I'd fall asleep in the pews while listening to droning sermons. CUC was a big comfy couch or an old sweater to me...something comfortable, and familiar, but not necessarily a place where I felt God's presence. I chose to get married here because my parents got married here, the church had a history for me, it was very affordable (very good rates for members), and let's face it, the sanctuary is stunning! Now the church is going through a renovation...a revitalization...and that is why I have decided to bring my husband and start attending the church of my childhood. The new senior minister Rev David Rivers is bringing about so much exciting change I feel drawn back to church. His sermons are funny, interesting, and thoughtful. Also our congregation recently voted to allow gay marriage in the church, something I wholeheartedly voted for and am glad to support. I hope some of these new changes will being about a whole new wave of people to the church and we can grow and flourish from what I used to see as a church of my grandmother, to a congregation of the future! read more

I am very disappointed in the way my son and I were treated by a staff member of Central Union Church today (7/31/20) when we went to feed the birds and play on the grounds. We've been feeding the birds there since March (the start of the COVID period in Hawaii), after seeing other people feeding the birds there. We've never been told to stop feeding the birds by anyone there, so it came as a surprise to us to be chided. The staff member who chided us was a blonde woman with a long ponytail. I understand that the mess the birds leave behind might not be something the staff want, but there's no sign around to indicate "no feeding the birds." The staff member who chided us said: "Excuse me, ma'am, please stop feeding the birds. This is a bus stop, not a feeding place." I apologized but she just turned around and walked away. I swept up the rest of the food as best as I could and used baby wipes to try to get the bird poop and remaining food off the bench so it would be clean for bus passengers to sit on. Yesterday (7/30/20), while we were feeding the birds, I caught her staring at us as she was getting ready to get in her car and leave for the day. She just stared and stared at us without saying anything. I didn't like the feeling of being stared at! After getting in her car, she pulled out of her spot and drove a few feet before she stopped for nearly five minutes. Instead of staring at us, she could've just said something right then and there! I would've been happy to comply with her request, except she apparently couldn't use her words, only her staring eyes. To all Central Union Church staff: If you want people to stop feeding the birds, please put a sign up! My son and I are not the only ones feeding the birds. In this very difficult time, please have a little more compassion for people like us who are doing our best to socially distance from others and are trying to bring a little joy to a child whose world just got a lot smaller because of this global pandemic. read more

Parking lot. Why you always full? I know who you are...parking in our parking lot, making me late for work. *cough cough* Kapiolani Med Build *cough *cough*. LOL Anyways, I love coming to work cause it so peaceful and beautiful. Sometimes I walk around and watch people get married. It's so cute :3 read more

Central Union Church - View fron parking lot - Churches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This review is for the Central Union Church Parish Hall. I recently had my son's first birthday party here & it was great! Everyone loved the venue. It was spacious and offered a great atmosphere. Everyone that we worked with was very friendly and helpful. We were able to map out our table setup and the staff set it up for us. The hall provided the tables, chairs, AV, AC and allowed us to serve alcohol as long as we followed protocols which included providing a licensed bartender and police officer. The only setback was the parking. People were unsure about where to park, which was my fault--I should have set up a parking attendant/ director or communicated more effectively with the church regarding the parking details. Other than that the party was a success! We were very happy with the affordability of the venue and everything it offered. Thank you Central Union Church for allowing us to use your beautiful hall. read more

Central Union Church - Churches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

See all

Brother's wedding took place at this church. All I can say from the outside was wow this looks pretty huge. Inside was phenomenal. Very spacious, architecture was on point, etc. The downfalls were: 1. It was wayyy too hot in there. I mean yeah they had the windows and side doors open but omg. 3pm when the sun is shining, it's blazin hot especially if your in a tuxedo. I was sweating off the storm. 2. Where the people sat down, the cushions were run down and faded. 3. Coordinators were quite rude. Not really the nicest or the meanest but just tad but rude. Anyways, if I had my wedding I would go for the scenery but not to hold a wedding for myself since it's hot. Wouldn't want to be videoed or taking pictures while sweating. Gross lol read more

This review is for their Parish Hall as a venue to rent. I rented this hall for my daughters first birthday party. It's a great, beautiful venue on beautiful grounds. Working with the coordinator and the AV man was also seamless. We were communicating through email the whole process and lots of details were covered and carried through. I'm very happy with our experience. read more

There's an early traditional service in the huge and beautiful historical main stone church. The minister delivers the sermon from this amazing elevated pulpit that looks like a disguised teleportation pod from Star Trek or Men in Black. So, in an intergalactic crisis, if you ever need to find a teleportaton pod, now you know where there's one hidden in Honolulu..... you're welcome! Worth a visit just for that. Despite the disguised teleporter, this early service was reassuringly familiar and historical and traditional Congregational. Then, later in the morning, in another building off to the side, there's a different contemporary praise-type service with a rock band in a sort of windowless event room with a stage. It turned out to be a pretty great service also. They just hired a new senior minister from the mainland who seems like a young well educated guy. At the later contemporary service, he and a woman church member did a conversational sermon including some slam poetry. It totally worked. At one point in this conversational back and forth sermon, the woman referenced that the church had recently voted on whether to allow gay marriage, and had survived the discussion. She didn't say the results though... so based on my experiences with other Hawaii churches I kind of assumed that meant they were staunchly holding out against gay marriage. I was actually pretty dejected to find myself in another church that had apparently been fighting over whether to allow gay marriage.... because it's a UCC church and nationally the UCC is much more progressive than they seem to be in Hawaii. I'm just getting tired of the fight. It's like arguing with people who insist the sky is NOT blue while they're keeping their eyes closed the whole time. It's exhausting and sad. You know, just open your eyes ! Much to my pleasant surprise when I asked the new young minister about the vote, he replied that it happened before he arrived, as he understood it the vote was about 85% in favor of gay marriage, and although a few people left the church as a result, more had come to the church as a result of the favorable vote than had left. And without my having explicitly stated which side I was on, he offered on his own that "it was the right thing to do." So .... "yay" ! Another church that "gets it" and marches onward on a path of civil rights, justice, and intelligent compassionate Christianity. read more

The church is a large community church. They have many things to offer the community - both religiously and communally. It is protestant. I have only heard good things about the pastors and the followers of the church have usually all the best to say about the church and Church. The thrift shop can be hit or miss, but the seniors that are the helpers are used to tourists and locals alike. Sometimes one can find Koa bowls, lei, aloha wear, kids toys and books. There is always an Auntie there to ask questions. There is senior center for craft and exercises, the Kupuna Center seems like a useful use of time for the seniors - in real activities both in doors and out on a lanai like area like a patio. There used to be a day program for Easter Seals participants- either they moved or got a new location as I believe they are no longer there. There is a respectable preschool /day care program. It is rumored to be a feeder school to the top elementary private programs like Punahou School. (be that true or not would be another post) The school had fire damage a while ago and has been repaired better. Their music ministry is wonderful. For Christmas they put on full on plays/ presentations/ dramas. The music can be heard from the roadside and is wonderful and up-lifting. Weddings - many people have been invited to weddings here on Oahu and many of those weddings happen at CUC for the sane reason others want to get married there - it may not be their church but it is open to all and a beautiful location - and very traditional for the family to gather at for service. There are 3 buildings for church service - I have seen at times 3 weddings going on at the same time- not all of the weddings were the same sizes. Photos turn out beautifully for the brides and parties. There is more info about weddings on their normal website- It seems that they have it down to a science and cater to Japanese tastes. There is really big parking area on the West side- one for Public parking with paid stalls and other parked for church use, then there is a small lot near the thrift store/ dumpster. Really, the other is the lawn with 2 separate enter and exit marked off with white fences that they move- the lawn is gorgeous usually - but when it rains be ready for it to be mushy - especially because cars tread on it on the weekends weakening the soil. The King Street is one way - so the entrance is near the thrift store. Punahou is 2 ways but busy- easiest to be going or heading North and turning around. I go there on special occasions and for work - there have been meetings that we have attended regarding preschools, Micronesian affairs like the planning of the Micronesian conference at the HI Convention Center run through OCS (office of community services) even meetings for VISTA members (AmeriCorps Volunteers In Service To America) and medical training like 1st aid/ cpr. It is one of the best located election poll sites IMO as the in and out parking is the best (not on a school campus that makes the kids brush to the side and no church on a Tuesday that makes it difficult). Again- call if you have any questions. read more

Why do I feel like I sketched this place? This Church is huge, well-maintained, and has a functional bell tower. The doors always seem to be open, and that's how it should be. read more

It really does my heart,soul,and spirit good to see ... the beautiful church ...where me and my husband were married in... over 22 yrs ago (^-^) and not a day goes by that i don't Thank the lord for blessing us and Remembering the beautiful ceremony that the wonderful Pastor officiated on that Sat. Our amazing ceremony down to the lovely array of doves as the doors opened to the breathtaking carriage ride down Waikiki.... always Remember .....God IS GOOD ...and he never does anything HALF WAY Sincerely Mrs Kimberly and Mr. David Imada ...wedding day was Dec 4th 1999 ...we are still smiling.(^-^) read more

I've always wanted to get married in a church, it's been a lifelong dream. The problem was that most chapels & churches in Hawaii are small, coming from a Samoan family the church had to be big. Central Union was it for me! The pictures don't do it justice, it's absolutely beautiful from top to bottom - left to right. The only downside is that it doesn't have AC. While planning the wedding, our coordinator Susan was extremely helpful. She answered all my questions & accommodated my wants and needs. Pastor David is a great man! It was a wonderful meeting him beforehand. He had a lot of great advice. My rating is at a 3 because there are a few things I disagree on. Other than that, a good experience. read more

I've been to at least 2 weddings here... and my mom says that when I get married, I have to use this church since it's been around FOREVER and it'll still exists years from now. She's like... wouldn't you be sad if you got married at a place that no longer exists? My thoughts? Well... I think it's an ok place. When I enter, I feel like tip toeing through the place because I don't feel too comfortable there. Then I start looking at the details of the place and see that it needs some upgrades. We'll see where I end up getting married. LoL. read more

Such a beautiful church! We come to this church once a year for their annual tree trimming ceremony for all the children that had passed away through out the years. Everyone here is really nice and welcoming. The light house outside at night is amazing, looks pretty scary but very nice. Must see! read more

look folks... CUC is not a business, not a thrift shop or some beautiful buidlings. It's a CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, meaning it is a congregation which believes, "WE are the Church!" CUC is a member of the United Church of Christ. I have attended church there for over 50 years and seen many changes. The church always welcomes visitors. If you really want to find out about this church, I suggest you attend worship services there. They have a website with up to date information about programs and services. Do a web search for "Central Union Church, Honolulu" to find the current site with current information. read more

central union church has helped us get past a traumatic experience by showing us love support and trust. they have been honest with us since the first day we would love to visit them again. our family had to experience terrible ABUSE from a past CULT CHURCH called the HONOLULU CHURCH OF CHRIST located on keeaumoku street they were DISHONEST WITH OUR MONEY and are running SCAMS on the island...we hope nobody goes to that place they caused a lot of problems with our family. read more

I love the Chinese Line Dancing Club we line up and do dancing together No partner I love it read more

CUC is a community of faith that recognizes you as a whole person - they treasure and embrace all. We visited a number of churches before making CUC our home church. CUC has a very long history in Honolulu, but it is modern and forward thinking as it seeks ways to discover, share, and practice love for all as Jesus taught. The members we have met come from many places, many traditions, and have many stories. If you live in Hawai'i, or if your travels bring you here, give the people at CUC the opportunity to say, "E komo mai!". Because it has been our experience that no matter who you are, or where you are on your life's journey, you are welcomed. read more

Our 15th Annual Forgiveness Day Festival was just held at Central Union Church. Sunday August 6. Always the first Sunday in August. Rarely have I worked with a team who operates in unconditional service, who says YES to my ideas and has even better solutions. Our event was smooth and well attended. Central Union is easy to find. The parking is plentiful. The grounds are lovely and perfect for an event that is both inside and outside. read more

the church has many things to offer the community; election poll for voters, thrift shop, senior center for craft and exercises, day care, events and meetings - recycle bin, and Weddings - there are 3 buildings for church service 1 for recreations, rooms for classes of a ranges 2 big areas to park in - one for Public parking with paid stalls, the other on the lawn with 2 separate enterances and exit at times I go there on special occasions. Thanks Dexter C. read more

Beautiful church and grounds. Friendly staff. My wife and I had our wedding here and it was a wonderful experience. From the church's facility coordinators (Jeane, Jon), wedding planners (Aloha Planners), to the pastor (David) that made us official, and even to the harpist (I wish I caught her name, she was dope), everything came together so well. We look forward to continue to attend and support such an awesome place. read more

Got to give the house of God 5 stars, though he has more stars he made visible at night to remind us of his love and sacrifices. Attended this church for my grand daughter's baptismal, very simple service, the entrance was awesome, there were ushers at the front door to greet you, no questions asked - just welcome and thank you for coming. Again the service was simple, no sitting standing sitting standing sitting standing like some services I've been to. Talked to my wahine and we are planning to attend this church as a regular, God bless, aloha. read more

This is a great church. The ushers, deacons, and deaconess really make you feel welcome. They have a 7am service for all the early risers; a 9 am formal service, and a great 1130 am contemporary service with a live band. If you're looking for a great place for worship this is the place. Everyone is welcomed! :-) read more

I went to the "Blue Christmas" service at 6:30 PM on the longest night of the year, December 21, 2017. The religious service was in the smaller chapel. There were two, white-lighted Christmas trees in the front without any ornaments. In front of them, was a long table with blue and silver ornaments and white glittery snowflakes. During the service, which acknowledged the pain of losing loved ones and other losses, people were invited to come forward and write the names of loved ones no longer with us to put on the tree -- along with one of the ornaments. By the end of the service, the trees were fully adorned. There was a similar opportunity to light white or blue candles. The service was well-attended by locals, and many people who are marginally involved in society. Everyone was kind and loving and the church was very welcoming, but the service was very subdued an solemn. The music was beautiful. A free meal was offered in the courtyard following the service. It was Christmas at its best: Loving, compassionate and a sense of community to anyone who wanted to be there. It was a powerful service, though understated and unpretentious. A wonderful experience -- reconnecting people to the true meaning of the Season. read more