St. Anthony of Padua

Parish History

St. Anthony of Padua Church traces its roots to July 13, 1848, when Fathers of the Order of the Sacred Heart of Jesus — whose arrival from France on July 7, 1827 began the Catholic Mission in Hawai'i — celebrated the first High Mass at Wailuku in a thatched structure. Through three successive church buildings (thatched 1848; wood 1854; stone 1873) and a devastating 1977 arson fire that destroyed the historic Gothic-style landmark, the parish has continuously served Central Maui. The modern church was dedicated on St. Anthony's feast day, June 13, 1980. The Marianists administered the parish from 1976 to 2021, when diocesan leadership resumed under the Diocese of Honolulu.

• 1848 — First High Mass at Wailuku, July 13
• 1854 — Wood-frame church built; 6,000 baptisms recorded on Maui
• 1858–59 — King Kamehameha IV deeds 16 acres to Bishop Louis Maigret
• 1873 — Stone church blessed May 3; Father Damien volunteers for Kalaupapa; Mother Marianne hears the call to serve Hawaiian patients
• 1919 — Gothic-style remodel with baptistery and bell tower
• 1940 — Enlargement under Father Bruno Bens
• 1976 — Society of Mary (Marianists) assumes parish leadership
• November 1, 1977 — Historic church destroyed by arson
• June 13, 1980 — Present church dedicated on St. Anthony's feast day
• June 30, 2021 — Marianists depart Maui; parish returns to the Diocese of Honolulu
• 2005 — 150th anniversary celebrated; Maui County honors the parish with Resolution 05-71

Parish Leadership & Staff

After the Marianists returned administration to the Diocese of Honolulu on July 1, 2021, Msgr. Terrence Watanabe became pastor. He is assisted by Parochial Vicar Fr. Larry Denis III and Deacon Jason Jacinto, along with a lay staff overseeing faith formation, music, business operations, and parish administration.

• Rev. Msgr. Terrence Watanabe — Pastor
• Rev. Larry Denis III — Parochial Vicar
• Deacon Jason Jacinto — Active Ministry
• Scott Rodriguez — Business Manager
• Tanya Barbero — Faith Formation Coordinator (Family Faith Formation Director)
• Rose Johnson — Music Ministry
• Diane Jacinto — Administrative Secretary

Mass & Liturgical Schedule

St. Anthony offers daily Mass Monday through Saturday at 7:00 AM, a Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:00 PM, and three Sunday Masses at 7:00 AM, 9:30 AM, and 5:00 PM. Reconciliation is heard Saturday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:30 PM or by appointment through the parish office.

Devotions

A rich devotional life complements the Mass schedule, drawing parishioners into Marian and Divine Mercy spirituality and extending sacramental care to the ill.

• Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help — every Wednesday at 7:30 AM
• Divine Mercy Chaplet — every Sunday at 3:00 PM in the Chapel
• Evening Prayer with Anointing of the Sick — last Thursday of odd-numbered months (January, March, May, July, September, November)

Faith Formation & Religious Education

The Faith Formation office forms Catholics at every stage of life, from baptism preparation for infants through programs for adults and engaged couples, with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for those seeking full communion with the Church.

Youth & Liturgical Ministries

Young parishioners are invited to grow in faith through the Youth Ministry and to serve at the altar as Altar Servers after receiving First Eucharist and completing training. Liturgical ministries support the celebration of every Mass, Benediction, and special service.

• Youth Ministry
• Altar Servers (contact: Fr. Larry Denis)
• Divine Mercy
• Liturgical Ministries

Outreach & Pastoral Care

St. Anthony extends Christ's presence beyond the church walls through ministries of presence to the sick, the homebound, and the community. Parish-sponsored outreach programs serve neighbors in need both inside and outside the parish family.

• Homebound Ministry
• Hospital Ministry
• Hospitality Ministry
• Parish Sponsored External Outreach
• Parish Sponsored Internal Outreach

Campus: School, Preschool & Cemetery

St. Anthony's 16-acre Mill Street campus is the largest Catholic campus on Maui, home to a Preschool, the St. Anthony Schools (elementary through high school), and the parish cemetery — including the only Catholic high school on the island. Generations of Maui children have been educated here by the Marianist brothers, Franciscan and Maryknoll sisters, and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

Visiting & Contact

Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, located at 1627 Mill Street in Wailuku. Office hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and the parish can be reached by phone or email for appointments, including Anointing of the Sick and home visits.

• Address: 1627 Mill Street, Wailuku, HI 96793
• Phone: (808) 244-4148
• Email: [email protected]
• Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM