The Holy Rosary Church at 954 Baldwin Ave. in Paia was constructed in 1926 to serve a growing congregation. Courtesy photo

The Holy Rosary Church in Paia is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year with a year full of events, starting with the opening of a time capsule and banquet dinner next month.

The Holy Rosary Church at 954 Baldwin Ave. traces its beginnings to Jan. 24, 1926, when the cornerstone was placed and the current church was built to serve the plantation families of Paia.

According to the church, the original structure was built in Kuau near the Kuau Catholic cemetery by Father James Beissel in the 1880s, but a growing population led to a need for a larger place of worship.

Bishop Stephen Alencastre led a groundbreaking ceremony on Feb. 14, 1926, and the plans were drawn by architect T. Yoshikawa. Construction was overseen by Sacred Hearts Father Jules Verhaeghe, and the church was built for approximately $35,000.

The Holy Rosary Church was dedicated on Feb. 20, 1927, and blessed by Bishop Alencastre. On Oct. 7, 1976, under the leadership of then-pastor Father Roland Peeters, the church celebrated its 50th anniversary with a blessing of the 15 mysteries of the rosary at the front of the church and the marble statue of Saint Damien by Bishop John Scanlan.

As the Holy Rosary Church approaches its centennial celebration, a series of events are planned to commemorate the milestone.

At 10 a.m. Feb. 2, the church will open a time capsule placed in the cornerstone in 1926.

Then at 6 p.m. Feb. 14, there will be a dinner buffet banquet on the church grounds following Mass at 5 p.m. The banquet dinner will bring together parishioners, families and friends, and set the tone for a year dedicated to remembering the past, celebrating the present and embracing the future.

Other events include a movie night on the church grounds from 6-9 p.m. April 17, as well as a golf tournament on Aug. 15 at the Dunes at Maui Lani.

On Oct. 10, the 5 p.m. Mass celebrating the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary will be followed by a potluck dinner. In December, the Christmas in Paia event will feature food, entertainment and other activities.

At 6 p.m. Feb. 20, the celebration will culminate with the commemoration of the dedication of the church and a formal dinner on the church grounds.

For tickets to the dinner buffet or for a full schedule of events, go to holyrosarypaia.org.