Fairbanks in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska — Northwest (North America)
Immaculate Conception Church
Photographed By Jason Fountain, June 16, 2019
1. Immaculate Conception Church Marker
By August, 1904, when a Catholic priest arrived in Fairbanks, all choice lots in the center of town were taken. Father Francis Monroe, a Jesuit missionary, selected land at the edge of town, bordering the Chena River. The first Roman Catholic Church in the interior of Alaska, a small frame building, was hastily constructed during September and October.
Two years later, a hospital was built across the river by the church. To consolidate their community services, the Very Reverend Raphael Crimont, the Prefect Apostolic of Alaska, directed in 1911 that the church be moved across the river. The contractor engaged to move the church intended to construct a bridge over the river. Father Monroe vetoed the plan and took charge. The church was rolled across the ice and set on its present site in November.
The Immaculate Conception Church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on April 3, 1976.
Erected by National Endowment for the Humanities, Alaska Heritage Resources Survey. (Marker Number FAI-030.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 3, 1976.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Barnette's Landing (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Founding of Fairbanks (about 500 feet away); Lacey Street Theater (1939) (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wickersham Cabin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fairbanks Public Schools (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cushman Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); "The Line" (approx. ¼ mile away); Suter House (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairbanks.
Regarding Immaculate Conception Church. Excerpt from the National Register Statement of Significance:
The embellishment and decoration of the church, and the permanent additions and decorations over the years, reflected a constant level of increasing activity in support of the community's needs. The construction of military bases near Fairbanks during and after World War II — Ladd Field (later Fort Wainwright) and Eielson Air Force Base called for additional support from the civilian religious community, and stimulated still further the role of the church
Photographed By Jason Fountain, June 16, 2019
2. Immaculate Conception Church
Also see . . . Immaculate Conception Church National Register Nomination Form. (Submitted on March 3, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By Jason Fountain, June 16, 2019
3. Immaculate Conception Church from across the river
Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2019. This page has been viewed 327 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 16, 2019, by Jason Fountain of Arlington, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
