Russian Orthodox Churches in Alaska

The only remaining evidence that Russians once occupied Alaska are the 78 Russian Orthodox churches are chapels located on the Aleutian Peninsula and coastal Alaska. A popular tourist attraction, the architecture of these churches are copies those of mainland Russia. Russian orthodox churches are noted for their onion dome styles, but several variations do exist. Modification in church design was often dictated by climatic conditions. Gale-force winds encouraged construction of low structures. Heavy snowfalls led to the design of steep roofs and steeples. St. Michaels Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Sitka burned down in 1966. Rebuilding it has caused a religious revival and has made Alaskans more conscious of their Russian heritage. Most of today's Orthodox in Alaska are Aleuts, Indians, and Eskimos. Also, the present Orthodox churches in Alaska provide a cultural imprint of Orthodoxy in preRevolutionary Russia