St Nicholas Orthodox Church Juneau

Visitors to Alaska's capital city will easily spot the onion-domed, blue-trimmed octagonal building overlooking downtown; it is the Russian Orthodox Church in Juneau and the oldest Russian Orthodox church in the state.

Established in 1894, St Nicholas Orthodox Church Juneau came into being when Tsar Alexander approved the formation of the Orthodox Missionary Society, whose purpose was to provide financing for expanding the Russian Orthodox religion and supporting missions in America.

Upon learning of the new Orthodox community in Juneau, the society sent architectural drawings, money, and many religious furnishings to build and equip a new church. Slavic gold miners built the Russian Orthodox Church in Juneau along side native Tlingits, and then filled the church with the items sent from Russia, including chalices, icons, and candle stands that are still in use or on display in the church.

St Nicholas Orthodox Church Juneau is a historic landmark and still serves a weekly congregation on Saturdays and Sundays. Services are sung in English, Tlingit, and Slavic, and the congregation stands throughout.

Visitors have access to the St Nicholas Orthodox Church Juneau Monday through Saturday from 9 am until 5 pm before evening vespers and on Sunday from noon until 5 pm after morning vespers. A small donation is requested for admission.

For travelers who are interested in including other historical and religious landmarks on their list of shore excursions, St Michael's Cathedral is located in Sitka and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.