St. Benedict's Painted Church
84-5140 Painted Church Road in Captain Cook Call 328-2227

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St. Benedict's Church is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The church was painted by resident priest Fr. John Berchmans Velghe, a Sacred Hearts father from Belgium, beginning around the year 1900.

Father Velghe, a self-taught artist, was inspired by the gothic cathedral of Burgos in Spain. His painting of scenes from the bible and the lives of the saints were very important teaching tools in a time when many people couldn't read and write. Fr. Velghe's health deteriorated and he had to return to Belgium in 1904, he was never able to finish the church. You can note the unadorned panels, still uncompleted.

Admission to the Church is free, however you might make a donation in the box on the door or buy a medallion or needlework for sale at the table near the parking lot.

The turn-off to the Painted Church

The church is small, but there is plenty of parking.	Cemetery in front of the church.

Did you notice there were no stained-glass windows in the church?
We didn't think you'd miss them after the paintings.

Sometimes you'll surprise a cat napping in church

A statue of the Pieta behind the church. There is also a cemetery behind the church with many colorful flowers and well tended graves.

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