The Catholic church in central Hanga Roa is the cultural meeting point of old and new Rapa Nui. Built in 1937, the interior is full of wood carvings in which Christian iconography is mixed with traditional Rapa Nui figures: a Virgin Mary topped by the birdman, saints with moai-like elongated ears, angels with manutara wings. Sunday Mass is sung partly in Rapa Nui and is open to visitors — the music is the reason most travellers go.
The service starts around 9am and lasts about an hour and a half. Dress respectfully. The town's small market sets up on the square outside on Saturdays.