St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church

Handbeaded Aers - Made by Matushka Anna Williams

Handmade Aers

These Aers were made by Matshka Anna Wiliams for the ordination of Fr. Michal Williams in about 1972. They are slightly damaged, but we hope to repair them so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Fr. Michael is the only Tlingit ever ordained as an Orthodox Priest. He fell alseep in the Lord in 1994.

(13 images)

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Various artifacts and photos from the church museum

Various artifacts from the Church

These are various artifacts from the church and some photos of our oldest and most unique pieces.

(15 images)

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This holy water font was part of the original shipment from the Russian Orthodox Mission Society in 1894. It is still used today.

This holy water font was part of the original shipment from the Russian Orthodox Mission Society in 1894. It has been replaced by a larger memorial table.

These wedding crowns are from the early days of the church. They are still used.

this is one of the original icons.

Various chalices and other items from the parish's past

a rare icon from the turn of the 19th century.

This seven-branched candle-stand stood behind our altar table from June 24, 1894 until the late 1970’s when it was replaced by a smaller stand that rests directly on the altar table. It was part of the original shipment of religious and liturgical items sent from Russia for use in this church. An identical, restored candle-stand is still in use in the altar of St. Michael’s Cathedral in Sitka.

the Interior of our Church

Interior of the church and the Iconostasis

(10 images)

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Detail of the Iconostasis: Christ

Detail of the Iconostasis: South Deacon's Door, St. Methodios, Apostle to the Slavs

Detail of the Iconostasis: South end, St. Nicholas.

Detail of the Iconostasis: The Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

Detail of the Iconostasis: North Deacon's Door, St. Cyril, Apostle to the Slavs.

Detail of the Iconostasis: North End, St. Innocent of Irkutsk - 1680-November 27, 1731. A Siberian Missionary in the 18th century.

Panorama of the Iconostasis

St Nicholas. Note that the inscription is in Tlingit and English.

The view behind the altar, facing east. Note the newer seven branch candle-stand sitting on the altar.

U.S. National Parks Service, Historic American Building Survey

AK-59-1 - Northwest side

Historic American building survey, June 1989

In 1989, Jet Lowe photographed St Nicholas Orthodox Church for the U.S. National Park Service’s photos in this slideshow are from this 1989 session.

The temple’s interior has been modified today, but these photos show the interior as it looked then.

Photos courtesy of the U.S. Library of Congress., Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, HABS [or HAER or HALS], Reproduction number HABS 1-15, call number HABS AK,8-JUNE,1-

(15 images)

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AK-59-2 - West Front

AK-59-3 - North Side, original Priest's house on left

AK-59-4 - North Side, original Priest's house on right

AK-59-5 - Southeast side

AK-59-6 - Detail of central cupola and onion dome

AK-59-7 - Detail of the belltower.

AK-59-8 - Interior, nave, looking east, iconostasis doors closed

AK-59-9 - Interior, nave, looking east, iconostasis doors opened

AK-59-10 - interior nave, looking northwest

AK-59-11 - interior, sanctuary, looking souheast (note that the original seven branch candlestand has been returned to the altar for this photo)

AK-59-12 - Interior, sanctuary, looking northwest

AK-59-13 - East Side, priest's house on right (one of three color photos)

AK-59-14 - Southeast side (two of three color photos)

AK-59-15 - Interior, nave, looking east, iconostasis doors closed (three of three color photos)

$St Nicholas\' paperwork adding us to the NAtional Register of Historic places$

Our paperwork is online!

The original nomination forms can be seen here.