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Help build a church’s history brick-by-brick via the new Waikupua Brick Garden – a fundraising effort for the construction of St. Michael the Archangel Church, the 35-foot diameter garden will display multi-colored bricks in a beautiful and unique circular mosaic design and be complemented by a water feature.

For a donation, community members and parishioners can sponsor a brick to commemorate a family, loved one or a special occasion.

Bricks are laser engraved for lasting durability and will be displayed in a lovely garden atmosphere for years to come. The garden’s location and design will be a focal point upon entering the new church on Alii Drive.

The center of the Waikupua Brick Garden will chronicle the history of St. Michael’s and its four mission churches: Immaculate Conception in Holualoa, St. Peter’s in Kahaluu, St. Paul’s in Honalo and Holy Rosary in Kaloko.

The four corners of each grouping will be dedicated to recognize the parish’s significant pastors and individuals through the years.

Bricks sponsored by community members will radiate from the groupings and be randomly placed according to size. Conjoined placement of bricks ordered together can be requested.

The design, layout and administration of the project is being donated by an anonymous member of the Kona community.

Pavers available for purchase are 4 by 8-inch, 8 by 8-inch and 12 by 12-inch. In addition to names and dated occasions, pavers can contain scripture, clip art, custom artwork or a logo and be engraved in English, Hawaiian or Spanish.

Bricks purchased before Oct. 15 range in price from $100 to $2,500; after that date they sell for $125 to $3,000.

As many as 1,650 pavers are available for engraving: 140 12 by 12, 430 8 by 8 and over 1050 4 by 8.

Funds raised from the brick garden will benefit the church’s building fund. Constructed around 1850 of lava rock, coral and sand, St. Michael’s was damaged beyond repair during the Oct. 15, 2006 earthquakes.

Construction of a new church is underway with a completion date targeted for Christmas.

Bricks may be ordered at: www.stmichaelparishkona.org/waikupua-brick-garden