Liliuokalani Church marks its 175th year

The public is invited to join Liliuokalani Protestant Church in Haleiwa in celebrating its 175th anniversary at its annual luau from 1 to 4 p.m. next Saturday.

The church was founded by missionaries John S. Emerson and his bride, Ursula Sophia Newell Emerson, in 1832. It was a grass house on the corner of Kamehameha Highway and Haleiwa Road that could accommodate about 2,000 people, according to Kuulei Kaio, church moderator.

The second building was remade of adobe about 1840, where the current cemetery is now. The third building, now on the current church's location, was constructed of wood in 1890.

"It was this building that Queen Liliuokalani worshipped in when she stayed at her country home on the banks of the Anahulu River," Kaio said.

"Our famous clock was donated to the church by Queen Liliuokalani on Jan. 1, 1892. The clock is 32 inches in diameter, with seven functions and hands, one (of) which made one revolution every 16 years! The uniqueness of this one-of-a-kind clock, is that the numerals on the clock dial telling the time were replaced with the letters of L-I-L-I-U-O-K-A-L-A-N-I, the queen's name," Kaio said.

The fourth and present church was rebuilt of cement in 1961.

The public may reserve tickets for the event by calling 637-9364. Tickets are $17.50 (dine-in), $15 for takeout and $10 for children.