Stepping onto these grounds you are immediately transported to a unique blend of cultures. This is the First Chinese Church of Christ in Honolulu. It is more than just a church. It is a testament to faith, community and the blending of Eastern and Western traditions.
The First Chinese Church of Christ was founded in 1879. Immigrant Chinese Christians sought a place to worship in their native language. They wanted to share their faith with the growing Chinese community in Hawaii. King David Kalākaua granted the church its charter of incorporation that same year.
Imagine services held in the shade of Christmas trees. The First Chinese Church of Christ was the first church in Hawaii to celebrate Christmas with Christmas trees in their services in 1881.
The church has a fascinating history with Sun Yat-Sen. Sun Yat-Sen embraced Christianity here. Later, he played a pivotal role in the 1911 Chinese Revolution. He helped toppling the Manchu Xing Dynasty. He brought modernization and democracy to China. The church helped to finance this revolution.
The First Chinese Church of Christ also founded Hawaii’s first kindergarten/preschool in 1892. Also in 1892, the church founded the Mills Institute. Later, it merged with the Kawaiahao Seminary. Together they formed the Mid Pacific Institute. In 1897, the church founded the Chinese Hospital. It cared for Chinese people who were deprived of medical care. This later became the Palolo Chinese Home.
The church began founding Chinese mission stations throughout the islands starting in 1883. It is the mother church to UCC Judd. It is also grandmother church to the Community Church of Honolulu.
The First Chinese Church of Christ owes its success to Sanford Ballard Dole. He proposed that the YMCA work with Chinese plantation workers. This led to Sit Moon being hired as an evangelist. Sit Moon helped form the church. He served as its first pastor.
Originally, the sanctuary was on Fort Street. As the Chinese community grew the members sought a new location. In 1929, they dedicated a new sanctuary at 1054 South King Street.
The new sanctuary was designed by Hart Wood. He blended Hawaiian regional architecture with Christian and Chinese elements. The steep pitched tiled roof is a nod to Chinese architecture. Heavy timber trusses support the roof. The interior walls are plaster over lava rock using a Chinese method.
Look at the stained-glass windows. Wood designed two stained-glass windows. One is a three-paneled rectangular window above the entry portal. The other is a grand circular rose window in the choir loft.
A preservation grant from the Freeman Foundation helped repair the stained-glass windows. The windows had problems. They were bowing and cracked. The metal frames were corroded. Expert artisans James Erickson and James Harvey restored the stained-glass windows.
The First Chinese Church of Christ stands as a symbol of cultural fusion. It represents the enduring spirit of the Chinese community in Hawaii. Take a moment to appreciate this unique blend of history and faith. It enriches the cultural landscape of Honolulu.