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OUR FACILITIESTHE SANCTUARYIn 1924 Mary Dillingham Frear wrote:
With its spire towering over the campus below, the main sanctuary is a well-known landmark in Honolulu. Its architecture expresses Central Union's New England heritage. The cornerstone was laid in 1922. Its basalt blocks were cut from the Moiliili Quarry, where the athletic field of the University of Hawaii is today. The sanctuary was completed in 1924 and has served members, friends, and visitors from all over the world continuously since. At the entrance of the sanctuary you are greeted by a broad but simple stairway with a ramp for the disabled off to the side. "The columns," said Rev. Albert Palmer in 1924, "are the four gospels through which we come to know the character of Christ and hear his voice and, as to the three lanterns, they may symbolize the mystery of the Trinity-one God, one light, yet revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, or, if you are practically - rather than theologically - minded, let them stand for the three Christian graces of faith and hope and love which, seen from afar and shining upon the church, shall draw men into the door." An open-air feeling dominates the church with ten French doors along the sides of the sanctuary, symbolizing the Ten Commandments. Twelve great columns remind parishioners and visitors alike of the twelve apostles. The main floor can hold up to 750 people; the balcony an additional 250. By placing chairs in the wide side aisles a maximum of 1300 people can be accommodated on special occasions. "Love Never Faileth," our church motto, is spelled in golden letters high above the chancel. ATHERTON MEMORIAL CHAPELTo the left, or ewa-side, of the main sanctuary sits the Atherton Chapel. It was originally built as a children's chapel after Frank Cooke Atherton made a substantial bequest to the church upon his death in 1945, and further contributions received from the children's fund. The corner stone was laid in November 1949 and by 1951 the chapel was completed. It is used today for services, primarily our early-morning 7am service. THE PARISH HALLOur Parish Hall has a capacity of more than 800 people. It features a stage for special events. The Parish Hall has the flexibility to handle several groups at the same time. Our Contemporary Worship service is held here on Sundays. It also houses Central Union's catering service in our state-of-the-art kitchen. THE YOUTH CENTERCentral Union, in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Honolulu, supports a youth outreach coordinator who offers services to teens. The free program serves young people from a dozen intermediate and high schools. It offers fellowship, homework and computer time, dance classes, field trips, and movies. Substance abuse prevention workshops and pregnancy counseling are also available. THE FAMILY LIFE CENTERCentral Union's Family Life Center houses our Adult Day Care Center for adults five days a week, and is operated by Arcadia Retirement Residence. The Children's Center has classrooms for Sunday School and sponsors events bringing together seniors and preschoolers. The Adult Education Center has six classrooms for distance education and computer learning courses. Our Fireside Room features a library plus meeting, reading, and writing facilities. And finally, the History/Archive Room preserves and protects church historical documents and records. ***************
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