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Kalaupapa National Historical Park
St. Philomena Catholic Church in Kalawao
 
St. Philomena Catholic Church, Kalawao.
NPS archives.
St. Philomena Catholic Church, Kalawao.
 

A small wooden building was being used for Catholic church services when Father Damien arrived at Kalawao in 1873. He and patient helpers enlarged the church twice. Brother Joseph Dutton completed the work after Damien's death in 1889.

This historic church's breathtaking physical setting and nearby graveyards illustrate both the tragedy and the peace of Kalawao.

 
Photograph of St Philomena Church.

Front entrance to St. Philomena Catholic Church.

 
St. Philomena Church.
NPS photo.
St. Philomena Church.
The St. Philomena Catholic Church with a view of the older church on the near right side.
 
Photo of the decorative window above the entry of the old section of the Church.

The decorative window above the entry of the old section of the Church.

 
Photo of the interior of St. Philomena Catholic Chruch.

Click here to browse a page of 360 degree panoramas, including a view of this church interior.
Photo of Father Damien statue.
Father Damien,
Joseph de Veuster
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Kauhako Crater  

Did You Know?
About 230,000 years ago a small shield volcano named Pu'u 'Uao formed the flat Kalaupapa peninsula. The rim of the volcano remnant rises 450 feet forming Kauhako Crater with a crater lake at the bottom more than 800 feet deep.

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Last Updated: May 13, 2008 at 07:55 EST