Short History of Holy Family Parish
Our parish beginnings can be traced back to Navy Building 852 which supported the Pearl Harbor Naval Base and Shipyard. Prior to March 1949, Building 852 was a Mess Hall and Galley used by the large population of civilian employees during the World War II. One small section of the very large building was converted into a tiny chapel (St. Joseph’s Chapel) under the Fourteenth Naval District Chaplains in an informal agreement. The Rt. Reverend Vincent Gorski (USN, Ret.) presided at this site.
After the war, the population of the area continued to grow and it became necessary to enlarge the chapel facilities. Under the supervision of the Fourteenth Naval District Chaplain’s office, Building 852 was authorized to be used exclusively for a Catholic Chapel and Rectory. The Catholic chaplains with the help of volunteers transformed the little chapel into a Catholic center with well run “parish” organizations for both men and women.
Then on January 6, 1950 Authorization was given for a rectory to be built by a local contractor. The property was to be turned over to the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu to become the Diocese’s 25th parish. On April 27, 1950, the Fourteenth Naval District’s Building 852 was formally approved to be “Holy Family Catholic Church” by the Bishop of Honolulu.
Bishop James J. Sweeney took jurisdiction of Building 852 on May 19, 1950 by signing a revocable permit which was forwarded to Washington from Naval District Hawaii. Holy Family Catholic Church officially became a parish of the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu under the care of the Marianist order.
On July 1st, 1950 Reverend Joseph Sherry, S.M. was appointed the first Pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church by Bishop Sweeney.
In July of 1956 Bishop Sweeney blessed the humble beginnings of Holy Family School in surplus Navy buildings adjacent to Building 852, and classes started on September 6th, 1956. Holy Family School was the Diocese’s 30th school. Wing #1 of the permanent school was constructed in 1960. A second wing was erected in 1962.
On April 3rd, 1966 ground breaking ceremony for the current Holy Family Church was held. Three days later the services of Nakakura Construction Co. Ltd. and Architect Raymond Akagi were secured for construction of the church for $300,000.
Our church was formally dedicated and blessed by Bishop John J. Scanlan, Diocese of Honolulu on February 27th, 1967.
Our parish beginnings can be traced back to Navy Building 852 which supported the Pearl Harbor Naval Base and Shipyard. Prior to March 1949, Building 852 was a Mess Hall and Galley used by the large population of civilian employees during the World War II. One small section of the very large building was converted into a tiny chapel (St. Joseph’s Chapel) under the Fourteenth Naval District Chaplains in an informal agreement. The Rt. Reverend Vincent Gorski (USN, Ret.) presided at this site.
After the war, the population of the area continued to grow and it became necessary to enlarge the chapel facilities. Under the supervision of the Fourteenth Naval District Chaplain’s office, Building 852 was authorized to be used exclusively for a Catholic Chapel and Rectory. The Catholic chaplains with the help of volunteers transformed the little chapel into a Catholic center with well run “parish” organizations for both men and women.
Then on January 6, 1950 Authorization was given for a rectory to be built by a local contractor. The property was to be turned over to the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu to become the Diocese’s 25th parish. On April 27, 1950, the Fourteenth Naval District’s Building 852 was formally approved to be “Holy Family Catholic Church” by the Bishop of Honolulu.
Bishop James J. Sweeney took jurisdiction of Building 852 on May 19, 1950 by signing a revocable permit which was forwarded to Washington from Naval District Hawaii. Holy Family Catholic Church officially became a parish of the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu under the care of the Marianist order.
On July 1st, 1950 Reverend Joseph Sherry, S.M. was appointed the first Pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church by Bishop Sweeney.
In July of 1956 Bishop Sweeney blessed the humble beginnings of Holy Family School in surplus Navy buildings adjacent to Building 852, and classes started on September 6th, 1956. Holy Family School was the Diocese’s 30th school. Wing #1 of the permanent school was constructed in 1960. A second wing was erected in 1962.
On April 3rd, 1966 ground breaking ceremony for the current Holy Family Church was held. Three days later the services of Nakakura Construction Co. Ltd. and Architect Raymond Akagi were secured for construction of the church for $300,000.
Our church was formally dedicated and blessed by Bishop John J. Scanlan, Diocese of Honolulu on February 27th, 1967.
