“Not only did (the influence of Captain Vancouver) with Kamehameha lead the latter to consider the possibility of England’s protective and developing hand in the future of the Islands, but he was also led to welcome Vancouver’s promise that upon his approaching return to England he would use his influence to have Christian teachers sent to the Islands.”
“Vancouver made an effort to fulfill this promise; but on his return he found England occupied with European troubles, and he himself died soon after.”
The Islands were not left entirely without the ministry of the Church. Vancouver had discovered an English chaplain, one John Howell, whom he could commend to Kamehameha along with Isaac Davis and John Young. However, Howell’s stay in the Islands proved brief; he left in 1795.
Other English chaplains visited the Islands from time to time and it was one of these who, early in the 19th Century, celebrated the first Christian marriage according to the form of the Episcopal Church between James Young, the second son of John Young, and a daughter of Isaac Davis.
Vancouver’s promise was not forgotten; in November, 1823, Liholiho (Kamehameha II) sailed for England one of his purposes was to remind George IV of the English promise. Unfortunately, he contracted measles and died in England before he had even seen King George.
Missionaries did come … American Protestant missionaries were the first to arrive (in 1820). Then, early in July 1827, there arrived at Honolulu the French ship La Comete with a band of Roman Catholic missionaries. In 1852, the desire for the Episcopal Church was still alive.
Admirable as these efforts were in ministering to the foreign residents of Honolulu and in maintaining interest in the Church, no really effective or permanent work could be done without a resident Bishop.
Then, the Rev. Thomas Nettleship Staley, fellow of Queen’s College, Oxford, and a tutor of St. Mark’s College, Chelsea, was consecrated on December 15, 1861, as Bishop for Honolulu.
Bishop Staley reached Honolulu on Saturday, October 11, 1862. The Mission inaugurated by Bishop Staley was almost immediately incorporated as the Hawaiian Reformed Catholic Church.
A continual source of encouragement to Bishop Staley was the steadfast devotion of Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma to the Mission. Confirmed on November 28, 1862, the sovereigns gave generously of their time and influence.
Not infrequently they were sponsors in Baptism, and the King prepared an Hawaiian translation of the Book of Common Prayer. He also rendered invaluable service in assisting Bishop Staley in the preparation and delivery of his sermons in Hawaiian. (Anglican History)
“The establishment here of the Reformed Catholic Church was one of the visionary schemes of the late R. C. Wyllie and never met with the cordial support of English or American Episcopalians for the main object appeared transparent from the first to be political rather than religious.” (Restarick) Finally, in 1870. after seven years of effort, Bishop Staley felt obliged to resign.
When Kamehameha IV died on St. Andrew’s Day, 1863, it seemed fitting that the proposed Cathedral should be erected in his memory and dedicated to St. Andrew. On March 5, 1867, Kamehameha V laid the cornerstone
Unfortunately, Bishop Staley’s return to England brought the work to an end with only the choir and tower foundations completed. Nothing further was done for about a decade.
The stone which had been sent out from England was allowed to remain crated on the ground. The congregation seemed satisfied to continue worshipping in the small frame Pro-Cathedral which had served them since 1866.
Failing to secure an American Bishop, the English authorities then turned to a successful parish priest, the Rev. Alfred Willis, who accepted the call and was consecrated February 2, 1872, in Lambeth Chapel. In 1901, Bishop Willis resigned as the Bishop of Honolulu.
Then, “On April 16, 1902, there flashed across the Pacific a message for the House of Bishops, then meeting, which read: ‘Transfer made. Good feeling prevails. Cathedral unified.’”
“‘Seldom better property or promise to start Missionary District. Movement to provide house for new Bishop. Young Bishop would rally young lay helpers. Disastrous to delay election.’”
“In response to this urgent appeal, there was elected the next day, as the first American Bishop of the Hawaiian Islands, the Rev. Henry Bond Restarick, then rector of St. Paul’s Church, San Diego, California.”
“This event, as intimated by the cablegram, was not the beginning of the Church in Hawaii. Something had gone before”. (Protestant Episcopal Church, Department of Missions, 1927)
In 1920, Bishop Restarick, having undergone two serious operations and being quite ill, determined to resign. The House of Bishops accepted his resignation and chose as his successor the Rev. John D. La Mothe. Bishop La Mothe was consecrated on June 29, 1921, in the Church of the Ascension, Baltimore, and arrived in Honolulu on August 16.
Initially the church was called the Hawaiian Reformed Catholic Church but the name would change in 1870 to the Anglican Church in Hawai‘i.
In 1902 it came under the Episcopal Church of the US. Initially the church was called the Hawaiian Reformed Catholic Church but the name would change in 1870 to the Anglican Church in Hawai‘i. In 1902 it came under the Episcopal Church of the US.
Follow Peter T Young on Facebook
Follow Peter T Young on Google+
Follow Peter T Young on LinkedIn
Follow Peter T Young on Blogger
Leave your comment here: