Russian Orthodox Churches in Alaska
Remnants of Russia's Historic Presence in North America
Jan 8, 2009
Almost all of todays Russian Orthodox church buildings in Alaska were constructed after the Russians left their American territory. However, the Russian Orthodox Church is still very active today especially among the native people of Alaska. The churches are built in the tradition of the missionary churches erected by the Russian monks and can thus rightfully be considered true remnants of a bygone era.
Shortly after the Russian Orthodox Church was established in Alaska in 1741 it began to start christianzing the native inhabitants of the areas the Russian fur traders invaded. In 1794 the first mission was founded on Kodiak Island in southeastern Alaska and in 1799 the first American Bishop was appointed.
History of the Russian Orthodox Church in Alaska
When the Russian capital of Alaska was moved from Kodiak to Sitka or Novoarkangelsk, how is was called by the Russian settlers, in 1804, the bishop of Kamchatka, the Kurile and Aleutian Islands and Alaska settled there as well. His bishop's palace can still be visited today. In 1848 the Cathedral of St. Michael was erected in Sitka, and this "Golden Era" of the Russian Orthodox Church ended in 1867, when the Russians sold Alaska to the Americans.
Russian Orthodox Churches in Alaska
There are more than ninety Russian Orthodox Churches in Alaska still actively used today and can be visited on a trip through the state. Many of them exist in remote villages on the Aleutian Islands, but there are also some in the coastal towns along the Inside Passage as well as on the Kenai Peninsula and in and close to Anchorage. Thus a visit of one of these churches can easily be fitted into a roadtrip itinerary through Alaska.
The following churches are easy to reach by car or ferry boat:
St. Nicholas Skete in Eklutna
This tiny wooden whitewashed church stands beside an old log chapel and is surrounded by a native Russian cemetery with small spirit houses. Each local family has its own traditional family colors and still buries their dead in the cemetery.
To get to the church take the Glenn Highway to Eklutna and turn left off the ramp; drive on less than .25 mile and the church is situated on the left.
Saint Nicholas Church in Juneau, Alaska
This small Russian Orthodox Church was built in 1894, but there were never any Russians in Juneau. The congregation is almost completely Tlingit Indian.
The church is located at 5th and Gold Streets in downtown Juneau.
Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church in Kenai, Alaska
This parish was founded by Father Igumen Nicolai Militov in 1845. The first church was built in 1849 on this site. Today's church was built in 1895 to replace the first one.
The church is located on Mission Avenue in Old Town Kenai and can be reached from the Spur Highway in downtown Kenai. Turn south on Main St., then right on Overland Ave. and right again on Mission Ave.
Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Kodiak, Alaska
The Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Kodiak was established in 1794. The current church is the fourth building on the site and was built in the 1940s.
The church is located in downtown Kodiak.
Transfiguration of Our Lord Church in Ninilchik, Kenai Peninsula
This tiny church was founded in 1846 and is situated on a small hill above the little village of Ninilchik on the Kenai Peninsula overlooking the village and its harbor. From the church there is also a beautiful view of the Cook Inlet and the volcanoes on the other side of the inlet.
The church is a bit hard to find, since there are no signs leading to it. But if visitors are driving from Kenai and see Ninilchik on the right they have passed the turnoff. Just turn back and go back up the hill. Take the first dirt road to the left which leads straight to the church.
St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral in Sitka, Alaska
St. Michael was built in 1848, a few decades after the Russians moved their capital from Kodiak Island to Sitka. The original church burnt down, but some of the historic artwork was saved and is shown in today's church.
The church is located in downtown Sitka.
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