church of rapa nui

The church reflects the local culture, with statuary that I believe is unique to this island and thus should be visited.

The residents of Rapa Nui, Easter Island, sculpted iconic giant heads, each representing ancestors, who they believed, would protect them and ensure their prosperity.The modern culture of Rapa Nui is catholicism and this church is decorated with locally carved statues of Jesus, Mary and Archangel Michael which reflect the Polynesian artistic influence.

A visit to Easter Island is a unique experience for well traveled people fromall over the world. Most of Easter Island is a national park and a small part is the town of Hanga Roa. There is one main street and at one end is the Church of Rapa Nui. The 9am Sunday service is unique because it is a community event and one can experience the culture of the island. Also the sanctuary contains beautiful religious hand carved statues of native wood.Bette Kolodney

Church on Sunday at 9 is a must to witness first hand the culture, music and hospitality of the Rapa Nui people. Sing along since the words of the hums are projected on the wall. The music will take you to heaven and the priest is genuine Rapa Nui!

The church building and contents explain the culture and heritage of the people who inhabited this island hundreds of years ago. Looking at the artifacts helps to explain who these people where and how they lived.

Visited this wonderful church. I wanted to see as much of Easter Island as I could! The service was given in Spanish, Rapa-nui, and English because there are so many tourists. The native music was beautiful. I know what other reviewers mean by the "pagan" symbols mixed with Christianity. Here is how I see that: 1) Traditional Catholics used to always have statuary in their churches; 2) The Bible says in the O.T. that all should bring their best into the church, that includes artists and musicians; 3) speaking as a former Catholic now born again Christian, I'd rather not judge anyway. I worshipped there in song and in prayer just as I do here at home, and prefer not to judge others anyway! God knows the heart!

Right in the center of town, so easy to stop by. not many places in the world that mix pagan symbols and christian symbols in the church.

Services are held at 9am sharp on Sundays and everyone from the island seems to be here. Get here early because it gets crowded. The singing is up the to usual south pacific standard with amazing harmonies. The church sits at the top of the main avenue through town. Its simple white frontage is adorned with symbols you will see all over the island, birdmen, dance paddles and an eye directly above the entrance. Inside a bizarre carvings of Jesus with a bird on his head and another Christ / birdlike figure.

Very nice to see all the people going to church on sunday. Crowded, friendly, music, singing. It starts at 09.00, be there!

The outside is fascinating with the combination of Christian symbols along side Rapa Nui symbols. Even better is if you can go inside. The wood carvings are beautiful. Pay close attention to what you are looking at. There is a carving of what appears to be Jesus holding a little baby that looks like a chief and there is a symbol of the bird man sitting on his head. Very unusual but a great combination of religions and beliefs.

It was an amazing experience to watch the Catholic mass celebrated by the local priest in the Rapu Nui church. The locals sing so beautifully in the Easter Island native language and with such passion that it was unique experience to see such celebration. There were many tourists recording the mass as well the group of guests from Marquise Island. We spent ten days on the island and every day was incredible.

Muy linda la Iglesia de Isla de Pascua, si tienes la suerte de estar un domingo allá no puedes dejar de ir, es una celebración de misa totalmente diferente a la del continente a pesar que es católica y en castellano los cantos son en rapa nui, sus esculturas preciosas entre ellas la del dios Make Make, la iglesia llena de flores y su gente alegre y maravillosa.

Muy bonita, ubicada en el pueblo (Hanga Roa), es la única iglesia de la Isla, sus misas (católicas) tienen la particularidad de que también se dan en la lengua nativa.

mezcla de la llegada del catolicismo pero sin perder las raices rapa nui, es unica, adaptada a la cultura propia, con todas las figuras de madera, ame encontrar un perrito durmiendo la siesta en el piso fresquitode la iglesia :)

No pueden dejar de ir a la misa del día Domingo a las 9 am, ya que es bastante pintoresca y fuera de lo que uno está acostumbrado.