On Tuesday, October 28th, Fr Michael and Mat Debra will be departing Juneau and Alaska. After 3 and a half years serving St Nicholas Church in Juneau, and as Dean of the Sitka Deanery, Fr Michael will be taking the mission parish of Sts Cyril and Methodius, Chico, California.

On Bright Wednesday 2008, perhaps the first ever Orthodox liturgy was served in the home of Kevin and Tatiana Stelmach in the town of Petersburg, Alaska.  Petersburg is a brief 25 minute flight south of Juneau. A community of about 3,000 people, it was founded early last century by mostly Norwegian fisherman.  The strong Norwegian flavor is still very much evident.  In addition, now there are a few Russians living there who want the Church as part of their families' lives. Pray for the families and for the work of the Church in Petersburg.

In 1894 a varied yet single-minded group of people joined together to build a church. Native Alaskans, Serbian miners, towns people, Orthodox and Non-orthodox took up the call for the building of a Russian Orthodox Church in the young but energetic town of Juneau, Alaska. The result was St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church.

Now, 113 years later, that same building, the oldest contiually functioning Orthodox church in Alaska, is in need of such another group of generous and dedicated people.  We need your help!

To that end, I invite you to join the 1894 Club.  By donating to the cause of our restoration you become a member of the 1894 Club. Here are your member benefits:

Doners of any amount up to $50 will receive an embosed Certificate of Membership suitable for framing

Doners who give $50 will receive the certificate and an enamle lapel pin of the church.

Doners who give $100 will receive the certificate, the pin and a commemorative mug displayed above. (Additional mugs may be ordered seperately.)

Doners who give $300 will receive the certificate, the pin, the mug, and a 100th anniversary icon, an unique icon written especially for St. Nicholas Church.

All donations, of any amount, will be acknowledged by listing on this website, unless you request otherwise, and will be added to our perpetual intercession list.  Those on the intercession list will be remembered by name at the weekly akathist to St. Herman.

If you have any questions please feel free to call at (907) 586-1023 or (907) 957-1539.  You may also use the email feature on our website.

As work continued on the roof, the workers came across a soft spot at the base of the bell tower that sits over the entry to the church. It was discovered that both carpenter ants and rot had taken their toll on both the roof and the base of the tower.  Further investigation showed that the damage was so extensive that the only way to safely and efficiently repair it would be to remove the bell tower; completely rebuild the roof; rebuild portions of the tower; and replace the tower.  The estimate of the work is currently at $30,000.00.

We are issuing an emergency appeal for assistance. While we are engaged in fundraising and other avenues of funding, we are reaching out to those who visit our website. Your contribution will help us save this historic and holy site.

Checks may be made out to St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church and marked for 'bell tower'.

Thank you for your kind assistance.  God bless you.