Church Born From Tragedy Reaches 50th
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Del.icio.usA half-century of Kailua Christian Church history will culminate with the unearthing of a preschool time capsule, a special worship service and church luncheon at the end of the month.
The time capsule was buried in 1992 at the 15-year anniversary of the church’s pre-school (which closed in 1996 after nearly 20 years of service). The church invites all former children who attended the preschool to the unearthing Jan. 25 after the 10 a.m. service.
Still ahead is a luncheon Jan. 31 at the Japanese Cultural Center and a special worship service at the church at 10 a.m. Feb. 1.
As one of many volunteers who helped build the church, Wendy Tamashiro said everyone is looking forward to the upcoming 50th-anniversary festivities.
“It is a joyous occasion,” she said. “We’ve had wonderful leadership and some really wonderful friends who have lasted throughout the years. I’m thankful that God has been so good to us. We’ve been blessed in so many ways.”
Joan Sakaba, who chairs the anniversary celebration, said most of those who built the church are in their 80s.“It’s a time to acknowledge the efforts they went through because they built it almost by hand,” she said. “None of them knew how to build or construct anything.” Of some 50 original builders, 23 remain, she added.
Kailua Christian Church opened soon after a Marine was murdered by a local youth in April 1956 at Kailua Beach Park. Two women - Gladys Kiyota and Irene Kanetake (Tamashiro’s sister) - heard about the youth’s family and went to talk to his mother. Kiyota, who has since died, belonged to Makiki Christian Church. The women learned that the youth’s mother had endured several tragic heartbreaks in a short time: Her husband died, her daughter was burned to death and her young son was accidentally poisoned. Then 11 days later, her other son was involved in this shooting.
The women began meeting regularly at what was is now Kailua Intermediate School. Eventually the church’s own building went up with help from volunteers and funds from Makiki Christian Church, Kalihi Union Church, Kaimuki Evangelical Church and Manoa Valley Church. On Feb. 1, 1959, it was recognized by the Oahu Association of the United Church of Christ.
“We want to honor these senior members of the church who have really been a part of the community that have given back a lot through the church and on their own,” Sakaba said.
Among golden anniversary events already held was the church’s traditional chicken hekka dinner. Members also published Food, Faith, Fellowship, a cookbook of favorite recipes such as cucumber namasu, lemon pork chops and butter mochi.
Kailua Christian Church is located at 317 Manono St. For more information, call 261-0125 or log on to kailuachristianchurch.com.
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