St. Peter's by the Sea - Sitka, Alaska - This Old Church on Waymarking.com

Peter Trimble Rowe was made Episcopal Bishop of Alaska in 1895. In April of 1896, he visited Sitka briefly before continuing his voyage to the Yukon. Rowe returned in November and held his first Sitka service in the Presbyterian Chapel on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1896.
The Bishop called Sitka home during his 17 years in Alaska.
Back in the summer of 1897, Mr. and Mrs. F. T. Proctor of Utica, N.Y. visited Sitka as tourists. Seeing there was no Episcopal Church building, they wrote after their return home and offered $2,000 toward the erection of one.

The church site was purchased for $750 in 1898. The Bishop secured the plans in November, 1898, "through the kindness of George C. Thomas of Philadelphia, and at his expense, "for the church building. The architect was H.L. During, Jr. of Philadelphia.

Ground was broken for the new church May of 1899. The cornerstone was laid by the Bishop with a service on St. Peter's Day, June 29, 1899. Among the deposits made in the cornerstone were coins from different parts of the world, a copy of the historical sketch of Sitka written by Lt. Emmons, a copy of The Alaskan Newspaper dated June 24, 1899, the Church Standard issue of June 3, 1899, a shell from the Sea of Galilee and two small American flags.

The church was finished at a cost of over $5000 and the opening service was held on November 26, 1899--the Sunday before Advent.
Among the many gifts presented to the church were: silver Communion Service by Mrs. Mary Rhinelander King of New York; an oak Eagle lectern by Mr. Codman of Brookline, MA; and two stained glass windows by Mr. and Mrs. Bauer. The oak altar, carved by young ladies of San Francisco was given by the Board of Women's Auxiliary. A church bell was given by the St. Celilia Society of Baltimore, MD, and the stone baptismal font was given by Mrs. Lawerence, New York.

On January 15, 1900, the Bishop called a meeting and formed a pro-Cathedral Chapter, the Cathedral to be called "St. Peter's by-the-Sea." April was the month chosen for consecration of the new church.

Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 05/29/1899 Age of Church building determined by?: Church website If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Episcopal If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Sunday Street address of Church: Lincoln Street Sitka, Alaska USA 99835 Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link] If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: Not listed Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: Not Listed Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: Not listed

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