Mission Church (Arctic Village, Alaska)

Mission Church
Church in 2009
Location East fork of Chandalar River, Arctic Village, Alaska
Coordinates 68°7′32″N 145°20′25″W / 68.12556°N 145.34028°WCoordinates: 68°7′32″N 145°20′25″W / 68.12556°N 145.34028°W
Area less than one acre
Built 1917
Built by Tritt, Rev. Albert E.
Architectural style Log & sod construction, other
Governing body Local
NRHP Reference # 77001578[1]
Added to NRHP April 11, 1977

The Mission Church is a historic Episcopal log church building on the eastern fork of the Chandalar River in Arctic Village, Alaska. Known also as Old Missionary Church and as Old Log Church, it was built in 1917. It was one of numerous mission churches established in Alaska by the Episcopal Church in the early 20th century.

The building is significant as a mission church and for association with Reverend Albert E. Tritt. A native of Arctic Village, Tritt was converted to Christianity by gospel preaching of Episcopal missionaries at Fort Yukon, about 100 miles (160 km) to the south. He returned with a Takudh-language Bible and sought to bring others into the Episcopal church. He became a deacon of the Episcopal Church in 1925. He helped with the building of a newer church in the village in 1939.[2]

The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.[1][2]A 2009 photo shows the exterior of the building having been fixed up, relative to the condition apparent in 1975-76 photos.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2010-07-09.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bernard W. Poirier (October 14, 1975). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Mission Church (AHRS SITE NO. ARC-056) / Old Missionary Church; Old Log Church". National Park Service. and accompanying three photos in 1975-76
  3. ↑ See photo from 2009 and see photos accompanying NRHP nomination from 1975-76