Saint Andrew's Cathedral, Honolulu

Saint Andrew’s Cathedral is an Episcopal cathedral that originally served as the seat of the Anglican Church of Hawaii. During the Victorian era, King Kamehameha IV and his queen consort, Emma, were members of the Anglican Church, led by Queen Victoria. In fact, the royal couple was so close to the British queen that she was named godmother to their son, Albert.

Kamehameha IV was inspired to build an Anglican place of worship in his own country, so he commissioned Saint Andrew’s Cathedral and donated part of the Royal Garden as the site. Unfortunately, the king died before groundbreaking could begin. His brother, Kamehameha V, took over the project and laid the cornerstone in honor of his predecessor on March 5, 1867.

The building itself was constructed from several prefabricated pieces shipped from England. It was built in the French Gothic style and features distinctive stained-glass windows. One window depicts Jesus on a surfboard, as well as European explorers who visited Hawaii. Another features the Hawaiian king and queen, Sanford B. Dole, a lawyer and jurist in Hawaii and a friend of the royal family, and Bishop Thomas N. Staley. Saint Andrew’s Cathedral was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.