The Maria Lanakila Catholic Church remained standing, surrounded by burning structures and debris, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.
Rev. Terrence Watanabe, vicar of Maui and Lanai, said there was photographic evidence of the building’s survival, adding that the church’s sanctuary and rectory were intact.
“For us, it’s like a miracle,” Watanabe told the newspaper on Thursday. “When we saw the news and saw the church steeple rise above the town, it was a great sight to see.”
The church is located in downtown Lahaina, USA Today reported. According to the church’s website, it’s name means “Our Lady of Victory.” It was established in 1846 and founded by the Rev. Aubert Bouillon of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, the Star-Advertiser reported. It was officially dedicated in 1858, according to the newspaper.
The original church consisted of an adobe building with grass hut chapels. The modern stone structure was completed in 1873 and renovated in 1918, USA Today reported.
Before wildfires ravaged the area, the church offered a large number of services, including Latin masses, visitor weddings and the Sacred Hearts School, according to the newspaper.
While the church is still standing, Watanabe conceded that engineers could determine that it is unsafe and recommend it be razed, the Star-Advertiser reported.
Church spared: The Maria Lanakila Catholic Church in Lahaina was still standing, but trees and structures in the area were heavily damaged by fires. (Paula Ramon/AFP via Getty Images)
“We won’t know until we get in there and make an assessment,” Watanabe told the newspaper.
On Friday, officials at nearby St. Anthony’s parish confirmed to USA Today that the Maria Lanakila church was still standing, but added that smoke could be seen coming from the rectory.
The Rev. Kuriakose Nadooparambil, pastor of Maria Lanakila, and his staff all escaped the fire, according to the Star-Advertiser. One staff stayed late and was fortunate to escape, the pastor said.
Despite reports to the contrary, historic Maria Lanakila Catholic Church is still standing amid the ashes and devastation left by the massive fire that destroyed much of Lahaina this week.
“He didn’t leave until the palm trees outside were on fire, and there was fire on both sides of the road as he drove away,” Nadooparambil told the newspaper.
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Hawaii fire: An attendee reacts during a Sunday church service held at Lahaina's Grace Baptist Church. (YUKI IWAMURA/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: A burnt-out car lies in the driveway of a charred house in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: A burnt out car and a sign reading "No Way Through" stand in the driveway of charred apartment complex in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina. (YUKI IWAMURA/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Tempers flared as residents waited in long lines as they are not allowed to pass a checkpoint to return to their homes in Lahaina. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag)
Hawaii fire A resident found some dishes among the rubble of a house that survived the wildfire. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Hawaii fire Crews are searching areas for flareups, items, and missing people following the wildfires in Hawaii swept through the area. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Maui residents John Rey Serrano and Lexie Lara look from a road above Lahaina Town in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Davilynn Severson holds a page of a yearbook as she looks for belongings through the ashes of their family's home in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Maui resident John Rey Serrano reacts while looking from a road above Lahaina Town in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Hano Ganer looks through the ashes of his family's home on Malolo Place in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Trixy Nuesca-Ganer looks through the ashes of their family's home in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: A woman cradles her cat after finding him in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii. (MOSES SLOVATIZKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Burnt books are seen by the public library in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii. (MOSES SLOVATIZKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: A burned cars sits among destroyed buildings in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii. (PAULA RAMON/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: A destroyed building is pictured in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii. (PAULA RAMON/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Burned cars, destroyed buildings and homes are pictured in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii (PAULA RAMON/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Destroyed buildings and homes are pictured in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii. (PAULA RAMON/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Residents walk among their destroyed home in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii. (PAULA RAMON/AFP via Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Zoltan Balogh clears away trees that were burned by wildfire in Kula, Hawaii. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: In an aerial view, cars back up for miles on the Honoapiilani highway as residents are allowed back into areas affected by the recent wildfire on Friday. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Hawaii fire: Burned houses and buildings are pictured in the aftermath of a wildfire, is seen in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii. (YUKI IWAMURA/AFP via Getty Images)
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