Church Histories

Nome in 1904, Catholic Church

The first cornerstone of the Catholic Church was laid by Father Aloysius Jacquet, S J on July 4, 1901 and the church was opened on Christmas day by Father van der Pol, who was assisted by Father LaFortune. Father Cataldo was the parish priest in 1902-1903.

Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

Old St Josephs Catholic Church

Now known as Old St Joe's Hall. Nome.

Methodist Mission for Eskimos, Nome, 1920

Photo courtesy University of Alaska Anchorage, Archives and Manuscripts, Alaska's Digital Archives

Congregational Church, Nome Alaska, 1901-1903

It was established in 1899 by Rev. Dr. Wirth. He secured funds to build a substantial and commodious hospital, which was constructed. Several clergy have ministered to the Congregational flock. Rev. C. E. Ryberg was the pastor for at least three years and he succeeded Rev. Mr. Fowler.

Photo courtesy of Alaska Anchorage Archives and Special Collections, Alaska's Digital Archives

Eskimo Church on the Sandspit

Mrs. Lehfeldt and her Eskimo friends
Christmas, Nome, Alaska 1906

Photo courtesy of Anchorage Museum of History and Art, Library and Archives, Alaska's Digital Archives

Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church

Aleksandr Dimitrievich Pustynskii, later Bishop Innokentii

Photos courtesy of Alaska State Library, Historical Collection. Alaska's Digital Archives

Unalakleet Covenant Church

1960, on the shore of the Bering Sea

Courtesy of Anchorage Museum of History and Art, Library and Archives. Alaska's Digital Library

Pentecostal Assembly of God

ca 1947-1948, Nome

Photo courtesy of University of Alaska Anchorage, Archives and Special Collections, Alaska's Digital Archives

Abandoned Our Lady of Lourdes Church at Pilgrim Springs,
a former Catholic Orphanage

The orphanage was built after the flu epidemic of 1918 with a church, dormitory and school, living quarters for staff and greenhouses. Facilities were kept warm from water piped in from the hot springs. It was closed in 1941 but re-opened shortly after as a recreational facility for the military until the end of WWII. The Pilgrim Springs mission flourished for about 20 years as a boarding school-orphanage and was mostly self-supporting with its farm and gardens.

April 22, 1918 Father LaFortune moved to the Hot Springs after James F. Halpin deeded the property to Father LaFortune as a gift for the Church. Over the next several years most of the Marys Igloo Mission was moved to Pilgrim Hot Springs which included the lumber from the taken down buildings. The new name was Our Lady of Lourdes Mission. The flu epidemic left many orphans who were moved from Nome to Pilgrim Springs. Brother John F. Hansen came to help Father Hubert A. Post on August 15, 1919 and five Ursuline sisters arrived the next day. In October 1919 Brother Peter P. Wilhalm arrived to help. They built a total of 15 structures there for about 100 orphans and about 20 staff.

By 1935 there were about 60 children at the mission and by 1941 it had run into poor repair with too few orphans to justify the expense of repairing the buildings. The property was leased to the Military during WWII while they worked on a landing strip. Then abandoned. The property was sold to a Native Consortium in 2010.

Episcopal Church of Nome

Easter, 1902

Established under the direction of Bishop Rowe whose diocese is the entire District of Alaska. The first rector in charge was the Rev. C. H. Brewer and after him was the Rev. Mr. White.

St Joseph Church, Nome
1901

Drawing by Sam McClain.

Courtesy of University of Alaska, Anchorage, Archives and Special Collections