Church History

The Holy Assumption Orthodox Church has been the principal and most enduring representative of Russian culture in southcentral Alaska from 1841 to the present. For the Kenaitze Indians, who are still a significant portion of the population, it was the major institution for the assimilation of western culture when the Russian fur traders first came to the area. In addition to serving as a religious center, the church began the first school on the Kenai Peninsula educating the local Kenaitze children and young adults to read, write, grow vegetables, and learn basic building methods. It served as a judicial center acting as arbiter between the officials of the Russian-American Fur Trading Company and the natives. The church served as a social center, bringing the community together to share ideas and promote the welfare of all. The church also provided the region’s first access to public health with the introduction of smallpox vaccine after the first epidemic decimated the local population.

This property represents a complete historical resource because it has maintained its original, continued use by the community for over 150 years.

Architecture

All three structures, which contribute to the National Historic Landmark (NHL) site, represent classic Russian-style architecture on the far-western frontier. The church is a fine example of a Russian village church, designed in the classic Pskov, vessel or ship pattern. It is perhaps the most colorful of all Russian Orthodox churches in Alaska with its broad pallet of colors from pure white to blue, green, and gold on the exterior. The chapel is an excellent model of Russian techniques of log construction with its uncovered log walls that illustrate of the precise craftsmanship and engineering of the Russian-trained builders of the Kenai Peninsula. The rectory is typical of the homes of the Russian village gentry and at the time of its construction was clearly a substantial landmark, being the only two-story structure in the community.

Icons & Artifacts

The icon and artifact collections date from the early 1700’s when the first group of Russian missionaries came to Alaska. With the exception of three icons, all were written in Russia and transported to Kenai. The oldest icon, “Our Lady of Kazan,” is believed to have been written in the early 1700’s and brought to Alaska by the first missionaries in Kodiak Island. It is one of the oldest pieces of non-native art in the state of Alaska. The three icons that are not of Russian origin are rare examples by the native Aleut iconographer Gregori Petukhov who studied under Bishop Veniaminov, Enlightener of the Aleuts and Bishop of Sitka, who later was consecrated St. Innocent.

The church attic contains primary resource documents dating from the first resident priest, Igumen Nikolai, as well as from subsequent priests who served the community, including educational materials from the first school in Kenai. The priests’ journals and notes represent invaluable historical data that document the Kenaitze way of life beginning in 1844 when Igumen Nikolai became the first resident priest.