Molokai History:
[from The Catholic Herald, June 25, 1937]
With succeeding years, Kaunakakai’s population increased gradually to the point where the little church there had become much too small to accomodate the growing Catholic congregation.
Plans were made several times to enlarge the building, but it never went further than planning, as other localities in this poor district absorbed the money saved by the priests for the purpose. Finally, it became evident that enlarging the old church would hardly improve matters, and so active Father John Mary Systermans, SS.CC., now in charge of Molokai, started a drive to raise funds for a new St. Sophia Church at Kaunakakai. His fair of last year [1936] proved a huge success, and to his immense joy Mr. [George] Cooke once more generously doubled the net amount by donating one thousand dollars towards the building fund. Father John immediately had plans drawn up and work on the new church started in April.
Blessings, pono and pule!
Fr. Brian Guerrini, ss.cc.
Priest
Molokai