The church itself sits on 2.7 acres of land leased from the State for $480.00 per year. In 1852, David Malo, the third minister of Hawaiian ancestry and a member of the Congregational Church, built a church building of local rock and coral, with a thatched roof. In 1853 he died and the congregation dispersed - abandoning the building. Due to damage from fire and flood the church lay unused in a Kiawe tree forest until 1976 when an Episcopal mission was established on the site by the first Vicar, The Rev. Norman Ault. The ruins were cleared and improvements made so that services are held outdoors in the roofless sanctuary in a beautiful setting shaded by trees and surrounded by tropical foliage. Only four to five times a year do Sunday services require being moved into the parish hall (built in 1991) due to inclement weather. The second Vicar and then Rector (in 1982) was the Rev. Morley Frech, whose tenure ran from 1979 to 2006.
The congregation is small and for a variety of reasons has not grown with the community. However, the potential is there. It is a typical Episcopal membership that welcomes all into its church family. However, its current membership does not reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of the community. In the winter months, "snowbird" members who live on the mainland return to increase the attendance and participation. They are also strong financial supporters. The winter also brings many tourists to the one 9:00am Sunday service, which follows the Rite II Eucharist. On the first and third Sundays of the month, portions of the service are read in Hawaiian. Average attendance is usually between 65 and 70 in the winter and 35-45 in the summer. At the most recent Christmas Eve service, 210 people were present. Music is provided by an electronic keyboard and there is a public address system. The choir varies from 3 to 8 depending on the time of the year. The average age of members is about 60 and there are only a handful of children and youth. A small group of devout individuals gladly take on multiple roles within the church. The members participate in the Vestry, Sunday School, altar guild, acolytes, lay readers, chalicists, ushers, greeters and for setting up on Sundays. The organization of the parish is new, having been approved at the parish annual meeting on 01/31/2007. A reading of the Strategic Plan will explain the Vestry Commissions and Congregational Ministries. The small size of the membership makes filling the committee positions difficult. The parish enjoys a friendly partnership with Kihei Lutheran Church, typically sharing Lenten and Holy Week observances.
Financially, the parish struggles from year to year. In 2007 there were 44 pledges for $80,500 and about $12,000 in open plate offering. It appears that in 2008 pledged income will be around $100,000. This is given some relief in that a Montessori school rents our facilities for $60,000 a year and there is a small investment income as well as a couple of fund raising events. A new transparency has returned to the operation of the business side of the parish. A decision to petition the Bishop and Diocesan Standing Committee to revert to aided parish status was approved by the congregation at its annual meeting in order to gain additional financial support until the congregation can be rebuilt. On 2/15/2008, the Petition was granted by the Diocese and the amount of the subsidy is still to be determined. The surprise retirement of the former married Rector, who shocked the congregation with a letter declaring that he was retiring, divorcing his wife, was gay and moving to the mainland, created turmoil and disillusionment among the members. Some left the congregation not to return. However, the past year with supply and interim clergy has seen an emerging new spirit and a gradual return to normalcy. We have grown spiritually stronger and are more cohesive than at any time in the parish's history.
We are looking for a priest who is first and foremost a pastor and community builder who will assist us in increasing our ministry to our community and implementing our Strategic Plan's Vision and goals.