Historic Structure Report: St. Philomena Catholic Church (Father Damien's Church)
Carper RL, McGrath TH, Cloyd PC, Greene LW, Blee CH, Somers G. 1985. Historic Structure Report: St. Philomena Catholic Church (Father Damien's Church). Historic Structure Report. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Denver Service Center, Denver, Colorado
This Historic Structure Report was undertaken to develop preservation treatment recommendations and a program for St. Philomena Catholic Church at Kalaupapa National Historical Park. Commonly known as Father Damien's Church, it is located in the Kalawao portion (east side) of the Kalaupapa peninsula on the north side of Molokai Island. This church is one of two remaining buildings of the Kalawao settlement. St. Philomena's represents the early history of the settlement and the internationally known efforts of Father Damien and others to provide care for the people afflicted with Hansen's Disease. The first portion of St. Philomena's (most of which was later removed) was constructed in 1872 by Brother Victorin Bertrand, prior to Fr. Damien's arrival. Father Damien added the west nave in 1876, and after its steeple collapsed in a wind storm, began construction of the masonry and wood main nave in 1888. He died in 1889 before the church was fully completed. The church remains a major element in the interpretation of the park. This report includes documentation of the history of the church building, changes which have occurred during its history, structural and material condition analyses, photographs and drawings to record the present appearance, details and condition of the building and its site and recommendations for emergency repairs and preservation treatment to assure continued stability and protection of this most important resource.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Carper, Robert; McGrath, Thomas; Cloyd, Paul; Greene, Linda; Blee, Catherine; Somers, Gary
- Date of Issue
- 1985-01
- Publisher
- U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
- Units
- KALA , PWR
- Keywords
- church, cooperative agreement, Father Damien, Hansen's Disease, Kalawao, leprosy, Molokai, religion
- Subjects
- CRIS-HS: 573972: Saint Philomena Sundial , CRIS-HS: 056604: St. Philomena Catholic Church Stone Wall , CRIS-HS: 021068: St. Philomena Church