Old St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church - Eklutna, Alaska
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 61° 27.646 W 149° 21.697
6V E 374143 N 6816390
Historic Russian Orthodox Church, located in the small Tanaina Indian village of Eklutna, Alaska.
Waymark Code: WM9CEA
Location: Alaska, United States
Date Posted: 07/31/2010
Views: 6
"Local tradition sets construction of this small Russian Orthodox chapel at 1870 in the nearby village of Knik, and that around 1900 it was moved here to Eklutna. Judging from the architectural plan of the church, th date might be conservative. The structure is less formal than other late 19th century Russian Orthodox buildings that were typically frame and erected on a stylized ground plan. Rather, hand-hewn spruce logs were used in the exterior construction.
Gauze screens the log walls inside, the floor is of rough planks, and except fro the altar, the interior is undecorated. The elaborate vestments and icons in the chapel were brought to Alaska from Russia. The frames for the icons were carved and the candel chandeliers were made by local residents.
The chapel served this small Tanaina Athapstkan village until replaced by the adjacent frame structure in 1962. The Eklutna residents have preserved the old chapel as an historic building.
On March 24, 1972 Old St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church was entered in the National Register of Historic Places." - Historical marker on site
In front of the church is the church cemetery with its many Athapaskan Spirit Houses marking the graves. Small admission is charged to visit the two churches and cemetery on the site.
The old church now is maintained as a historic building and as a museum displaying historic artifacts and icons.
Type of Orthodox Church: Eastern
Type of Building: Church
Status of Building: Building converted to another use
Date of building construction: 01/01/1870
Address:
Eklutna Village Rd.
Eklutna, Alaska United States
99567
Relevant Website: [Web Link]
Date of organization: Not listed
Associated Icons, Reliefs, art, etc.: Not listed
Diocese: Not listed
Archdiocese: Not listed
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