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This is a cute little church! We usually don't attend mass during our vacations, but today Dec. 1st, First Sunday of Advent, for some reason we're being guided to attend. As we find our seats, for another reason, I just kept walking towards the empty pews towards the front, and I'm glad we did. I can concentrate more, and enjoy the views without distractions. There are a lot to see & observe, before the mass even begins. It is so pretty! I like the fact, that the Extra Ordinary Ministers wore wore and / or with black, this put them separated from the others. Their job is pretty special, and they should, in all churches! I really enjoyed listening/singing along to some of the music played in my church! There's a TV monitor on the left side of the choir and the right side pews to let parishioners know what Bible verse or music page, if they want to follow along. I enjoyed the deacon's Advent Homily, in fact, I told him so after the mass, and he was kind enough to give me his copy to take home. Most specially, the priest at the end blessed all those who are traveling, safe travels back home. Thank you so much! Wish we could come back in the evening for the 2nd annual "Joy of Christmas" festivities, but we've already made plans for a family get-together at about the same time! I LOVE your Christmas lights, even though they weren't lite, I took every picture of the 12th Days of Christmas Hawaiian style. Too funny! One more thing: Before attending this church, I didn't know it was Kauai's oldest Catholic church is the burial site of some of Hawaii's first Portuguese immigrants. That's a BONUS!
We visited Hawaii for our 2018 summer family vacation, visiting the Big Island, Oahu, and Kauai. All were very nice and we had a great time. On Sunday, on Kauai, we celebrated Mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. After Mass, as we looked around Church, we met a lady. As we talked, we learned that the first Church on Kauai was this Church, Saint Raphael. The Archangels are special to us a) because of who they are and b) because our son is born on their feast day. That this church in Koala is named for them is a nice coincidence and blessing. ------------ Raphael is the Archangel one of the seven Archangels who stand before the throne of our Lord, and one of only three mentioned by name in the bible. His feast day is celebrated with archangels St. Michael and St. Gabriel on September 29. Raphael appears in human form in the book of Tobit, and he heals Tobit' blindness and brings him together with Sarah. The Gospel of John mentions people visiting the healing water of Bethesda, which is watched by an archangel thought to be St. Raphael, the healer. We understood from talking with the lady at Immaculate Conception that St. Raphael was chosen for this first church because he is associated with fishing, which was very important to Hawaiians since the first arrived in the islands. ------------ The Church is about 3/4 of a mile from Pizetta's and the other shops and restaurants in Koala, so it is a very short drive. We stayed and prayed and looked around for a few minutes. It was a good peaceful visit. There is a statue of St. Raphael who was holding a fish there, and a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, too. We are glad we visited and are sure you will enjoy your visit, too.
My husband and I had theee most incredible experience here. Beautiful Mass and after Mass Father asked if anyone was celebrating a birthday this week, if so please stand up. I was celebrating my 65th birthday and the choir proceeded to sing to me Happy Birthday in Hawaiian Then the priest asked if anyone was celebrating an anniversary. My husband and I were and they said a special blessing over us. Following Mass everyone congratulated us and welcomed us with open arms! Beautiful beautiful community! Mahalo!
It was nice to attend the 7am mass on a weekday. There were about a dozen of us including the priest and the lector in this old part of the church. I believe the newer church is used during Sunday mass. As you enter you will notice the pews have been restored. They are still the individual wooden seat (about 60 of them) with it's own kneeler. On the right side as you enter, you can light a candle and say a little prayer. If you like visiting old churches, this is a church to visit.
The Oldest and the First Catholic Church on the island of Kauai. Fr. Robert Arsenius Walsh founded the mission on December 25, 1841. Everyone is welcome to visit the property during day time. The Old Church is usually open for you to pray, meditate, light candles, take photos inside and around the property. Office hours is Monday through Friday from 8:00am -2:00 pm (except on scheduled holidays). A gift shop is usually open after each regular Sunday mass or if in the weekdays, may approach the office for assistance. Weekday masses are usually held at the Old Church Monday-Friday at 7:00am. Weekend Masses are 5:00pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Sunday 7:00am (Old Church), Sunday 9:30am mass (New Church). A Ohana Mass is usually ever third Wednesday of the month at 11:30am (except on Church busy scheduled seasons like Advent, Easter etc). For more information, visit their website: St-Raphael-Kauai-org. St. Raphael is a small welcoming Church community in the area of the town of Koloa on Kauai. Visitors attending Sunday masses are always acknowledged and blessed for their safety on their travels and good health while staying on the island. A must see and experience the spirit of Aloha in this Catholic Church.
Gorgeous church in paradise. While on vacation, I was reminded by my Catholic mother to visit the local church during the holy days. Guilt got the best of me and decided to make my way to this little gem. Glad I did. This place provided the perfect spot for quiet contemplation and peace. I'm definitely not a very religious type, but it was kind of hard not to be moved by the surroundings. Come here and praise nature!
Even on vacation, you gotta take some time to give thanks! My hubs and I had a lot to be thankful for during our Honeymoon, so during our last night we went to mass at St. Raphael. Great service and a beautiful church! I loved that it was wide-open (as in no walls or windows) on one side of the church. The breeze was lovely and the even better, the local parishioners and even the visitors were kind and welcoming. At the end of the mass, there was a small gift shop you could stop by. I purchased a prayer card to remember the church and I was set to go! :)
29 days ago
We visited Saint Raphael Church June 2026 but it was closed. The landscape was beautiful with trees and flowers. The inside looked pretty. Maybe one day we'll be able to visit again. read more
Oldest Catholic church on Kaua'i, circa 1840. Contains the original church structure (which is incredibly rare to see the original structure so well preserved) now used as a multi purpose area, and the "new" church built in 1889. The historic site also includes the original rectory, new rectory, and the original cemetery also from 1841. We arrived a few minutes before a lovely sunset and captured some amazing pictures. The church architecture is happily or was happily preserved from the ravages of post modernism. Therefore it still retained the form and beauty of a proper place of worship where the human senses are brought in alignment with contemplation of the Creator. This effect cannot and will never be achieved using current architectural designs that seem obliviously ok with building churches that look like basketball courts. Sic semper cum moderna. Cannot fully describe the joy we felt being here. Loved the coral-plaster columns, the Koa wood altar, and the antique built-in holy water fonts. The crucifix is exemplary and done in the French style. There is a surprising authentic statue dedicated to Our Lady of LaSallette and a very Hebraic themed statue of St Joseph, foster father of the Child Jesus. Spent a long time in prayer here. Tempus fugit... and time flew. Aside from the transcendent attributes, just walking around the site was edifying and peaceful. Highly recommend one visit this historic landmark if in the area. Mahalo for reading my review. Pax et Bonum. read more
1 year ago
This is a cute little church! We usually don't attend mass during our vacations, but today Dec. 1st, First Sunday of Advent, for some reason we're being guided to attend. As we find our seats, for another reason, I just kept walking towards the empty pews towards the front, and I'm glad we did. I can concentrate more, and enjoy the views without distractions. There are a lot to see & observe, before the mass even begins. It is so pretty! I like the fact, that the Extra Ordinary Ministers wore wore and / or with black, this put them separated from the others. Their job is pretty special, and they should, in all churches! I really enjoyed listening/singing along to some of the music played in my church! There's a TV monitor on the left side of the choir and the right side pews to let parishioners know what Bible verse or music page, if they want to follow along. I enjoyed the deacon's Advent Homily, in fact, I told him so after the mass, and he was kind enough to give me his copy to take home. Most specially, the priest at the end blessed all those who are traveling, safe travels back home. Thank you so much! Wish we could come back in the evening for the 2nd annual "Joy of Christmas" festivities, but we've already made plans for a family get-together at about the same time! I LOVE your Christmas lights, even though they weren't lite, I took every picture of the 12th Days of Christmas Hawaiian style. Too funny! One more thing: Before attending this church, I didn't know it was Kauai's oldest Catholic church is the burial site of some of Hawaii's first Portuguese immigrants. That's a BONUS! read more
We visited Hawaii for our 2018 summer family vacation, visiting the Big Island, Oahu, and Kauai. All were very nice and we had a great time. On Sunday, on Kauai, we celebrated Mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. After Mass, as we looked around Church, we met a lady. As we talked, we learned that the first Church on Kauai was this Church, Saint Raphael. The Archangels are special to us a) because of who they are and b) because our son is born on their feast day. That this church in Koala is named for them is a nice coincidence and blessing. ------------ Raphael is the Archangel one of the seven Archangels who stand before the throne of our Lord, and one of only three mentioned by name in the bible. His feast day is celebrated with archangels St. Michael and St. Gabriel on September 29. Raphael appears in human form in the book of Tobit, and he heals Tobit' blindness and brings him together with Sarah. The Gospel of John mentions people visiting the healing water of Bethesda, which is watched by an archangel thought to be St. Raphael, the healer. We understood from talking with the lady at Immaculate Conception that St. Raphael was chosen for this first church because he is associated with fishing, which was very important to Hawaiians since the first arrived in the islands. ------------ The Church is about 3/4 of a mile from Pizetta's and the other shops and restaurants in Koala, so it is a very short drive. We stayed and prayed and looked around for a few minutes. It was a good peaceful visit. There is a statue of St. Raphael who was holding a fish there, and a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, too. We are glad we visited and are sure you will enjoy your visit, too. read more
3 years ago
My husband and I had theee most incredible experience here. Beautiful Mass and after Mass Father asked if anyone was celebrating a birthday this week, if so please stand up. I was celebrating my 65th birthday and the choir proceeded to sing to me Happy Birthday in Hawaiian Then the priest asked if anyone was celebrating an anniversary. My husband and I were and they said a special blessing over us. Following Mass everyone congratulated us and welcomed us with open arms! Beautiful beautiful community! Mahalo! read more
5 years ago
It was nice to attend the 7am mass on a weekday. There were about a dozen of us including the priest and the lector in this old part of the church. I believe the newer church is used during Sunday mass. As you enter you will notice the pews have been restored. They are still the individual wooden seat (about 60 of them) with it's own kneeler. On the right side as you enter, you can light a candle and say a little prayer. If you like visiting old churches, this is a church to visit. read more
7 years ago
The Oldest and the First Catholic Church on the island of Kauai. Fr. Robert Arsenius Walsh founded the mission on December 25, 1841. Everyone is welcome to visit the property during day time. The Old Church is usually open for you to pray, meditate, light candles, take photos inside and around the property. Office hours is Monday through Friday from 8:00am -2:00 pm (except on scheduled holidays). A gift shop is usually open after each regular Sunday mass or if in the weekdays, may approach the office for assistance. Weekday masses are usually held at the Old Church Monday-Friday at 7:00am. Weekend Masses are 5:00pm Saturday Vigil Mass, Sunday 7:00am (Old Church), Sunday 9:30am mass (New Church). A Ohana Mass is usually ever third Wednesday of the month at 11:30am (except on Church busy scheduled seasons like Advent, Easter etc). For more information, visit their website: St-Raphael-Kauai-org. St. Raphael is a small welcoming Church community in the area of the town of Koloa on Kauai. Visitors attending Sunday masses are always acknowledged and blessed for their safety on their travels and good health while staying on the island. A must see and experience the spirit of Aloha in this Catholic Church. read more
Gorgeous church in paradise. While on vacation, I was reminded by my Catholic mother to visit the local church during the holy days. Guilt got the best of me and decided to make my way to this little gem. Glad I did. This place provided the perfect spot for quiet contemplation and peace. I'm definitely not a very religious type, but it was kind of hard not to be moved by the surroundings. Come here and praise nature! read more
13 years ago
Even on vacation, you gotta take some time to give thanks! My hubs and I had a lot to be thankful for during our Honeymoon, so during our last night we went to mass at St. Raphael. Great service and a beautiful church! I loved that it was wide-open (as in no walls or windows) on one side of the church. The breeze was lovely and the even better, the local parishioners and even the visitors were kind and welcoming. At the end of the mass, there was a small gift shop you could stop by. I purchased a prayer card to remember the church and I was set to go! :) read more
14 years ago
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10 years ago
What an amazing experience! We went to the 7am Mass because we wanted to attend Mass in the old church... and our internal clocks were 4 hours ahead. :) Loved the charm, open windows, and the opportunity to show our kids how Mass is the same no matter where in the world you are - same readings, same prayers, etc. Took a stroll around the cemetery on the property, lots of history there. Don't miss the opportunity to attend Mass in the oldest Catholic Church on Kauai. We hope to take in a daily Mass at another church in the area. read more
