110th Anniversary of Juneau’s St. Nicholas Orthodox Church

The St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church was built in 1893 in Juneau. The church was consecrated in June 1894, after hundreds of baptisms of Juneau area Tlingits into the church in the preceding years. The Tlingit converts were the active initiators of the founding of the church and donated the land and their labor. Tlingits were attracted to the Orthodox Church partly because services were performed in their indigenous language. There were also Orthodox Christians among the influx of gold miners into Juneau during this period, and they contributed materials and labor. There are six large panels presently in the church which are the original icons received from Russia in 1894.

Adjacent to the church, three acres of land were also acquired for a cemetery. Later a school was added. The school was an important part of the church’s mission, and it remained open until 1917.

In 1913 Aleut-Creole Father Andrew Kashevaroff became pastor, and championed causes like the protection of Native traditions and ending the bounty on killing eagles. He was nicknamed the “Fighting Priest.” Among other notable figures who served the St. Nicholas parish are Father John Scotty, a Russian priest who served in the 1950s, caretaker of the grounds for over two decades, and Father David Homiak, who as a newly ordained graduate of the seminary from 1970-72 worked to repair the church buildings and reinvigorate parish life. Under Archimandrite Innocent, who arrived in Juneau in 1976 and remained for 11 years, an extensive renovation was completed culminating in a reconsecration of the alter and church on July 1, 1979. James Michael Williams, originally of Hoonah, became the only Tlingit priest in the history of the Orthodox Church in Alaska and assisted Father Innocent in Juneau. In 1990 Father Michael Oleska was appointed. He has been a leader in promoting understanding and unity among all races and peoples of the state, and is well known for his classes in cross-cultural communication. In 2002 Archpriest Jonah Andrew became rector of St. Nicholas and is the current serving priest.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Frank H. Murkowski, Governor of the State of Alaska, do hereby proclaim July 16, 2004, as:

110th Anniversary of Juneau’s St. Nicholas Orthodox Church

in Alaska, and ask the citizens of Alaska realize the importance of the Orthodox Christian presence and influence in Alaska, and the unique history of the church.

Dated: July 14, 2004