An aerial view in this architect’s rendering shows the cruciform roof of the new Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish church in Ewa Beach. (Image courtesy of Our Lady of Perpetual Parish)
By Patrick Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Bishop Larry Silva will preside at the groundbreaking Aug. 20 of the new 11,400-square-foot Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Ewa Beach, a fast-growing district in Leeward Oahu.
The structure, which has a cross-shaped roof, will hold 772 people, making it one of the largest Catholic churches in Hawaii.
The architects are Domus Studio of San Diego led by David Pfeifer and Inform Design of Honolulu led by Chad Okinaka.
Vince Guerreiro, whom the pastor Father Edmundo Barut Jr. assigned as the “person-in-charge of the new church project,” described the design as “contemporary incorporating Romanesque cruciform elements.”
An architect’s rendering of the interior of the new Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish church shows a large crucifix suspended above the sanctuary. (Image courtesy of Our Lady of Perpetual Parish)
Inside, curved pews are arranged in semicircle around the altar.
According to Guerreiro, who is also the leeward Oahu vicariate representative to the Diocesan Planning and Building Committee and the chairman of the parish finance council, the new church will cost $8.8 million.
The existing church, the parish’s second, was built in 1978.
“It will be used as a parish hall until such time that Phase II of the master plan is executed,” Guerreiro said in an email. “At that time the existing structure will be updated/renovated and provide meeting rooms, office space, storage and a warming kitchen.”
Our Lady of Perpetual Help was established in 1949, initially as a mission of Immaculate Conception Parish in Ewa. It became an independent parish in 1969.
