Saint Theresa Church

The first church of St. Theresa's parish was blessed on April 22, 1928.  A new church was built and blessed on June 3, 1958.  The Catholic community in Kihei numbered about 75 families.  The growth was steady and a new church was again needed.  The present church was dedicated on April 27, 1985.

This church has a capacity for over 600.  This semi-rotund house of worship is designed in contemporary style.  It has a bell tower and besides the church proper, there are other rooms, all under one roof.  The other rooms are the sacristy, chapel, reconciliation room and book store.  There is a hospitality room for receptions and other functions.  At the entrance to the church is a painting on the tile wall of the patroness of the church, St. Theresa, known as the "Little Flower of Jesus".

The interior of the church is semi-circular to create the idea of community and allow the congregation to be closer to one another and to the altar.  The floor is slanted theatre style to allow maximum visibility.  Natural light, ventilation and natural materials (wood, tile, stone) were used to create a unique setting.  Besides planters and skylights, the stained glass windows along the sides depict profiles of the Hawaiian Islands and the windows on either side of the sanctuary depict the glory of God the Father and the Holy Spirit, as a white dove.  The motif of the Trinity is completed by Jesus on the cross that dominates the sanctuary.