Footage of a Catholic church standing unscathed amid Hawaii’s horrific wildfires is making the rounds online, with many hailing it as a “miracle.”
A viral video posted to TikTok by a local Maui man on Friday shows shops and homes smoldering in the town of Lahaina after the fire ripped through the beach town.
However, the incredible clip reveals that the Maria Lanakila Catholic Church and its neighboring rectory were left unscathed by the blaze.
“Nothing else but Maria Lanakila,” the local can be heard saying as he scans to show other buildings reduced to ash.
Other locals also took to social media to share their amazement that the house of worship survived the fire.
“With so many pictures of devastation and heartache, I wanted to leave social media tonight with a picture of hope and love. Maria Lanakila Catholic Church on Wainee St. remained standing and beautiful!” Chef K, who owns the Maui Fresh Streatery food truck said in an Instagram post.
“Founded in 1928, its name translates to Victorious Mary making reference to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Thoughts and prayers go out to those on the Westside.”
“Basically what we know is the fact that all of Lahaina Town has been consumed by fire. It’s all gone,” Msgr. Terrence Watanabe, pastor of the nearby parish of St. Anthony’s told the Catholic publication The Pillar.
“The church, Maria Lanakila, is still standing, as is the rectory. The school’s been a little bit affected.”
Rev. Terrence Watanabe, vicar of Maui and Lanai, called it a “miracle.”
“For us, it’s like a miracle,” Watanabe told Star-Advertiser. “When we saw the news and saw the church steeple rise above the town, it was a great sight to see.”
