StarBulletin.com

Korean Christian Church marks 90 years


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POSTED: Sunday, December 28, 2008
                       
This story has been corrected. See below.

The Korean Christian Church in Liliha, founded by former South Korean president Syngman Rhee, is inviting the public to help celebrate its 90th anniversary tomorrow at its 10:30 a.m. service.

The celebration will include picture-taking of the congregation in front of the newly renovated church, draping a lei on the statue of Rhee, and lots of good food.

Members of the first generation of Korean immigrants who arrived in Hawaii in 1903 and picture brides who followed will be honored. They were laborers trying to accumulate enough wealth to send back to their families in their homeland.

The first Korean church was built in 1938, a landmark at 1832 Liliha St. because of its unique architecture and the replica of the Kwang Whan Mun, the main tower gate into the ancient royal palace in Seoul. It was rebuilt in 2006 for $3.5 million after many setbacks.

Rhee, the first president of the Republic of Korea, also founded churches in Wahiawa, Hilo and Los Angeles, a release said.

               

     

 

 

CORRECTION

        The Korean Christian Church in Liliha built its original sanctuary in 1938, not 1928 as originally noted in this article.