Name/Title
Pastor James M LewisDescription
In 1866 the caucasian population needed a church in the Wailuku area and the Wailuku Foreign Church was started. It served all protestant denominations but was run primarily by Congregational or Presbyterian ministers and was associated with the Hawaiian Evangelical Association.
Service as Minister
1898-1900 Lewis, John M.
The articles of incorporation were filed on October 10, 1866. Wailuku Union Church started as a church celebrating Christ’s presence in an environment where English was spoken as a second language. The first churches established on Maui in 1823 were missions to the Hawaiian people. But by the mid-century, the Wailuku Sugar Company was formed, and more English-speaking people moved into the Wailuku area. This became the impetus for an English-speaking church established here.
Christopher Lewers and Edward Bailey laid the foundation for our church and persuaded the Rev. Thomas Thurston from Kona, to come and pastor of the Foreign Church of Wailuku. A small, framed church was built on the corner which now is occupied by the County Planning Offices. The Rev. Thurston stayed for two years before moving to the mainland. The church then sought the help of the Rev. William P. Alexander, missionary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, called to serve Central Maui. The Rev. Alexander never officially became the minister of the Wailuku Union Church, but he led the congregation often through the years, helping them secure ministers, preaching, conducting services, serving on the trustees and caring for the parish between pastors.Created By
hawaiiancovers@gmail.comCreate Date
April 29, 2025Update Date
April 29, 2025
