Sitka Lutheran Church - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
celebrating Christ - serving our community

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Lutherans Serving Christ in Sitka

1839: Czar approves Lutheran Church, New Archangel.

1840: May 12. Vessels NIKOLAI I and KONSTANTIN bring new chief Manager, new pastor, staff, furnishings for the new Evangelical Lutheran Church, along with Finnish, Baltic Germans, Estonians, Latvians, Lithuanian Lutherans to New Archangel. It is an impressive site.
1840: August 23, Pastor Uno Cygnaeus presides at the First Lutheran Service in Gov. Etholen’s Mansion.
1840: December 6, Pastor Cygnaeus dedicates the Russian America Company (RAC) Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, now at the end of Princess Way.
1843: First Lutheran Church Building dedicated. (The current facility stands on the site of the original building.)
1867: Control of Alaska transferred from Russian to United States.
1860’s-70’s: Soldiers & Sitkans worship in Lutheran Church. The building falls into disrepair over the years.
1888: Finnish Lutheran Church building torn down due to vandalized condition. 
1888-1942: A small but vibrant band of "left-over" Lutherans worship in homes & public buildings, conduct services, hold Sunday School & Confirmation.
1935: Lutheran Church incorporated in Alaska Territory. Members begin the task of planning and constructing their next facility.
1942: 2nd Lutheran Church building dedicated. Congregational members renew their sense of mission and ministry in Sitka.
1959: Alaska becomes our 49th state.
1966: Lutheran Church totally destroyed by fire.
1967: 3rd Lutheran Church building dedicated.
1993: Lutheran Church sanctuary damaged by fire & Sitka's Volunteer Fire Department does an exceptional job.
1995: Remodeled Lutheran Church building dedicated. Members and friends throughout the community help in this massive project.

1997: New stained glass windows, made by Dick Weitz, Seattle artist, are installed and then dedicated.

1998: New altar dedicated; made from pew wood salvaged from the 1993 fire.
1999: New sanctuary crosses dedicated. Clear title to Lutheran Cemetery  transferred from Orthodox Church.
2000: Cemetery rededicated. SLC celebrates 160th Anniversary.
2001: Painting of the Transfiguration by noted Finnish artist Berndt Abraham Godenhjelm returned to congregation, then sent to Finland for restoration.
2002-2004: Following an extensive restoration, the painting then tours Finland and United States in a series of special exhibitions.
2004: August, The Transfiguration of Christ by Berndt Abraham Godenhjelm arrives in Sitka.
2004: October. The Transfiguration of Christ is rededicated at special celebration.
2005: Congregation celebrates 165th anniversary.
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Sitka Lutheran Church 
•  224 Lincoln St.  •  PO Box 598  •  Sitka AK 99835
Office phone: 907.747.3338  Office
E-mail  •  Last updated: 04/02/2008

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