Churches

There are 6 Catholic Churches on the island of Molokai.  Two of them, St. Francis of Assisi and St. Philomena are located on the Kalaupapa Peninsula. The other four churches are located on what is called the ‘topside’ of the island: St. Damien, Our Lady of Seven Sorrows, St. Vincent Ferrer, and St. Joseph.

A bit of history:[From Diocesan Archives, May 13, 1977]

The Hoolehua parish of Sacred Heart had the following five pastors after Fr. John-Mary Systermans, ss.cc. In 1948, Fr. John-Mary was succeeded by Father Roland Peeters, ss.cc., Father Anselm Gouveia, ss.cc. who came in 1951 for two years, Father Bonaventure Crols, ss.cc. who served from 1953 to 1959, Father Herman Van den Wyngaert, ss.cc. who served for six years until 1965, and Father Ildephonse Kuntz, ss.cc. who took charge in 1965. Father Roland acquired a new parish hall for Sacred Heart in Hoolehua during his years there. Father Herman enlarged the St. Vincent Church during his last year as pastor.

Since 1972 through 1977, Father David Paul Todd, ss.cc. was the priestly soul of Sacred Heart Parish in Hoolehua and its two missions of St. Theresa in Kualapuu and St. Vincent Ferrer in Maunaloa.