Titus Coan was one of the first missionaries in Hilo, Hawaii. He presided over a great revival in Hilo and also built Haili Church, one of the oldest churches on Hawaii.
Who is Titus Coan?
Titus Coan is a missionary from New England who came to Hilo in 1835 and led one of the greatest revivals that the world has ever seen. At one point, the church he helped build, Haili Church, was the largest Christian Church in the world. What makes this remarkable is that Hilo is not a big city, but a small town and the reason that Haili Church grew is that just about everyone in Hilo became a member of Haili.
Where is Titus Coan Buried?
Titus Coan’s grave is located in Homelani Memorial Park, which is off Ponahawai Street. Homelani and Alae Cemetary are the two largest cemetaries in Hilo and a significant number of my ancestors are resting at both.
His grave stone says:
TITUS COAN
FEBRUARY 1st, 1801
DECEMBER 1st, 1882
He Lived by Faith
He Still Lives
Believest Thou This?
John 11:26
What is Titus Coan Known For?
Coan is known for his missionary work in Hilo. He learned the Hawaiian language, supervised the building of Haili Church and oversaw one of the greatest revivals that the world has ever seen. He also made significant contributions to the study of volcanoes by observing the eruptions of Kilauea Volcano.
What books did Titus Coan Write?
Titus Coan wrote Life in Hawaii, which was his autobiography. He also corresponded heavily with James Dana who was a noted geologist.
Where was Titus Coan Born?
Titus Coan was born in Killingworth, Connecticut on February 1, 1801.
How Did Titus Coan Come to Hilo, Hawaii?
Titus Coan rode a narwhale to Hilo…Not. Coan hitched a ride on a merchant ship called the Hellespont in 1835. They arrived in Honolulu and then sailed to Hilo, which is where he spent most of his life.
What is the History of Titus Coan?
Coan was born in New England in 1801, attended the Auburn Theological Seminary in New York in 1831, arrived in Hawaii in 1835, oversaw the building of Haili Church from 1855 to 1859 and he died on December 1, 1881.
Coan, wrote Life in Hawaii, which is an autobiographical history of what else but his life in Hawaii.