St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral

St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel, stands as a significant religious and historical landmark in Sitka, Alaska. It holds the distinction of being the earliest Orthodox cathedral established in the New World, representing an important cultural and spiritual legacy from the period of Russian America. The cathedral's history is marked by both resilience and dedication, with its original structure succumbing to fire and being meticulously rebuilt.

History and Construction

The origins of St. Michael's Cathedral trace back to the early 19th century when Alaska was under Russian control. A chapel was first built by an employee of Alexander Baranov, chief manager of the Russian-American Company, to house icons salvaged from a shipwreck. In 1816, the first priest from Russia, Fr. Aleksei Sokolov, arrived in Sitka. The older church was replaced by a new building, also dedicated to St. Michael, which was founded and designed by Fr. Innocent Veniaminov. Veniaminov, a Siberian-born priest with prior experience in designing churches and establishing schools, envisioned a cathedral in the Russian ecclesiastical architectural style.

The foundation stone for this original cathedral was laid in 1844, and construction was completed on November 20, 1848, with funding from the Russian-American Company. The bells were cast in Alaska, and the clock for the bell tower was made by Veniaminov himself. Following the sale of Alaska to the United States in 1867, the cathedral faced challenges, including an incident where soldiers pillaged the building. However, a Temperance Society and Brotherhood formed within the cathedral played a crucial role in its upkeep during the lean years after the Alaska Purchase.

The Fire and Reconstruction

The original cathedral, built between 1844 and 1848, remained largely intact for over a century until it was destroyed by an accidental fire on January 2, 1966. This event led to the loss of many treasured items, including handmade bells, a large icon of the Last Supper, and a library of books in Russian, Tlingit, and Aleut languages. Fortunately, some of the most valuable artifacts, such as royal doors and silk vestments, were retrieved and restored.

Reconstruction efforts began, aiming to replicate the original structure's appearance and dimensions. The new building, completed and re-consecrated in 1978 by architect Sergey Padyukov, was built using modern fireproof materials such as concrete and steel, with vinyl siding to mimic the original finish. The present cathedral features prominent green domes and golden crosses, serving as a distinctive landmark in Sitka.

Architecture and Features

The cathedral's architecture is characterized by its Russian ecclesiastical style, with a frontage shaped like a Greek cross and a bell tower. The plan of the facade and width is approximately 20 meters (67 feet), and its length is 29.4 meters (96.6 feet). The exterior is painted light blue-grey with a white border. The bell tower, located centrally on the western facade, is cupola-shaped with eight arched openings for bells and is topped by a needle-shaped dome with a triple-bar Orthodox cross.

Internally, the cathedral also follows a cruciform plan. The walls and ceiling are covered with rough, natural-colored sail-cloth, reminiscent of the original. The interior fittings and decorations include a rich collection of Russian religious art. Among the most notable are two icons by Vladimir Borovikovsky: "Our Lady of Sitka" (the "Sitka Madonna") and "Christ Pantocrator." The iconostasis, separating the nave from the sanctuary, features royal and deacon's doors in an Italian Rococo design, contrasting with the simpler interior walls. The new icon screen is a precise replica carved from wood and painted white with a gilded border.

Significance and Legacy

St. Michael's Cathedral was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962, recognized for its importance as a legacy of Russian influence in North America. Its location in Sitka, on the southwestern coast of Baranof Island, places it within a region rich in historical and cultural significance. The restored Russian Bishop's House, once home to Innocent (Veniaminov), is nearby and operated by the National Park Service, further emphasizing the area's historical context. The cathedral continues to serve as an active place of worship and a cherished monument to Alaska's diverse history.