Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace

The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Honolulu, Hawaii, is a remarkable testament to the rich history and cultural tapestry of the Hawaiian Islands. As the mother church and cathedral of the Diocese of Honolulu, it stands as a beacon of faith and resilience, having witnessed the trials and triumphs of the Catholic community in Hawaii for nearly two centuries.

The Early Days and Groundbreaking

The story of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace begins with the arrival of the first Catholic missionaries to Hawaii. On July 7, 1827, three priests from the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, also known as the Society of Picpus, landed in Honolulu from France. Just a week later, on July 14, the first recorded Catholic Mass in Hawaii was celebrated in a humble grass hut on a rented lot. This marked the beginning of a new religious chapter for the islands.

With the support of King Kamehameha III and the Catholic governor of Oahu, high chief Boki, the missionaries acquired a royal land grant on August 30, 1827. This land would become the site of the first Catholic church in Hawaii, constructed in January 1828. However, the early years were fraught with challenges. Under pressure from American Protestant missionaries and the Kuhina Nui, Kaʻahumanu, the Catholic priests were expelled from the islands between 1829 and 1839. During this “dark decade” of anti-Catholic persecution, foreign priests were deported, and known converts faced torture and imprisonment.

Relief came in 1839 when, under the threat of force from the French government, the Hawaiian government issued the Edict of Toleration, granting freedom of religious expression. As a gesture of reparation, King Kamehameha III provided the Catholic missionaries with a piece of the royal estate and $20,000 in compensation. The groundbreaking for the new church coincided with the Feast of Our Lady of Peace on July 9, 1840. The cornerstone was ceremonially laid on August 6, 1840, and construction continued with the help of native Hawaiian volunteers who harvested blocks of coral from the shores of Ala Moana, Kakaʻako, and Waikīkī.

Development and Growth

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace was consecrated and dedicated on August 15, 1843, with about 800 people receiving Holy Communion. The early interior of the church featured a simple wooden altar, communion rail, and pulpit, with native Hawaiians preferring to sit on lauhala mats rather than pews. Over the years, the church underwent numerous enhancements. Bishop Louis Désiré Maigret, who inherited the church, added a tower clock, cathedra, and a larger bell. He also built the first domed bell tower in the Hawaiian Islands, later replaced with a wooden spire topped with a globus cruciger and a stationary rooster finial in 1866.

In the 1870s, inspired by the First Vatican Council, Maigret initiated further improvements. The low roof was replaced with redwood and raised by four feet, a vaulted ceiling with hand-painted gold leaf panels was installed, and a choir loft and galleries were built to increase seating capacity. New stained glass windows were added, and thirty-six statuettes of saints were placed above the gallery. A French marble altar with a backdrop scene of Calvary and gilded statues of the Virgin Mary, Saint Joachim, and Saint Anne was installed. The clock, originally positioned at the base of the tower, was moved to the back wall and remains the oldest clock in Hawaii. Maigret's efforts transformed the humble grass hut into a European-styled church before his death in 1882.

Twentieth Century Changes

The early 20th century saw further changes under Bishop Libert Hubert John Louis Boeynaems, who idealized a Gothic style for the cathedral. However, the Gothic endeavor proved too costly, leading to more practical renovations. The termite-damaged wooden floors were replaced with cement, and the wooden spire was replaced with a concrete bell tower. In 1926, Bishop Stephen Peter Alencastre established a Romanesque revival style for the cathedral, replacing the Gothic porch with a portico of Doric columns and installing new stained-glass windows from Germany. The Italian government gifted a new Carrara marble altar with statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph in anticipation of the centennial celebration of the arrival of the first Catholic missionaries.

Post-Vatican II and Modern Renovations

The Second Vatican Council brought significant changes to the cathedral's interior. Bishop James Joseph Sweeney, the first bishop of the newly formed Diocese of Honolulu, removed the wooden crucifix and replaced it with a marble one, painted over the Calvary scene, and added a simple fleur-de-lis patterned wallpaper. The communion rails were removed, a freestanding altar was constructed, and the elevated canopied pulpit was replaced with a simple lectern. Native cultural elements were incorporated, including koa wood wainscot along the walls and heavy koa wood doors.

In 1984, due to the growing population, Saint Theresa Catholic Church was elevated to a co-cathedral. Bishop Joseph Anthony Ferrario sent the thirty-six statuettes of saints back to France for preservation, and upon their return, they were placed in a new order according to the Litany of the Saints. The pews were re-arranged to face each other, with the altar and ambo positioned in the center aisle. A eucharistic devotional area was created in front of the tabernacle, separated by a semitransparent screen. The cathedra of the bishop was placed in front of this screen, and the priest-celebrant's chair was positioned among the pews.

In 2010, a $15 million campaign was initiated by Bishop Clarence Richard Silva to renovate the cathedral, emulating its appearance during the time of Saint Damien de Veuster. The renewal project included installing replica oil-paintings of the Stations of the Cross, oil lamp chandeliers, and confessionals. A new chapel was planned to house the relics of Saints Damien de Veuster and Marianne Cope. By 2018, the screen was removed, and the altar was returned to an extensively renovated sanctuary area. The pews were repositioned to their original direction, and four of the fourteen stained-glass windows were repaired and refurbished. The pillars were repaired and replastered, and new paintings of Saints Damien and Marianne were placed on the sanctuary wall.

The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace stands today as a living monument to the enduring faith and resilience of Hawaii's Catholic community. Its rich history, architectural beauty, and spiritual significance make it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the vibrant cultural heritage of Honolulu.