Sitka in Sitka Borough, Alaska — Northwest (North America)
St. Michael's Cathedral
Photographed by Alvis Hendley, May 16, 2011
1. St. Michael's Cathedral Marker
Has been designated a Registered National Historic Landmark
Under the provisions of the Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935
This site possesses exceptional value in commemorating and illustrating the history of the United States
Erected 1963 by U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.
Location. 57° 3.001′ N, 135° 20.122′ W. Marker is in Sitka, Alaska, in Sitka Borough. It is on Lincoln Street when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 240 Lincoln Street, Sitka AK 99835, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Alaska, in Tlingit and Haida & Tsimshian Region. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, in the Inside Passage, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral (a few steps from this marker); Sitka Lutheran Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Wells Fargo Bank - The First Bank of Sitka (within shouting distance of this marker); Ben Franklin Five and Dime (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Sitka Woman's Club (within shouting distance of this marker); Station Building 29 National Historic Landmark (within shouting distance of this marker); Tilson Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sitka.
More about this marker. Marker is mounted on the church beside the front door.
Regarding St. Michael's Cathedral.
The Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel was listed on the NRHP in 1966. The nomination reads in part:
Sitka was the capital of Russian America from 1808 until 1906. The Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel was at
Photographed by Alvis Hendley, May 16, 2011
2. The markers are mounted beside the front door.
The Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel is an excellent example of Russian church architecture, incorporating classic Russian features of the cruciform design with elements of the Italian Rococo which was popular in Russia in the early 19th century.
The cathedral was designed by the first Bishop of Alaska, Bishop Innocent, who was known for his religious writings as well as works on Alaskan ethnography, linguistics and history. Innocent was declared a saint by the Orthodox Christian church in 1977.
The present building is a reconstruction of the original which was built in 1844 and destroyed by fire in 1966. The structure was rebuilt on the original site based on detailed drawings of the original structure. Most of the ikons and religious artifacts were saved from destruction.
The cathedral was the largest and most imposing religious edifice in Alaska until well into the 20th century. It remains a house of worship and the seat of the Orthodox Bishop of Sitka and Alaska.
Photographed by Alvis Hendley, May 16, 2011
3. Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel from the Rear
Photographed by Alvis Hendley, May 16, 2011
4. Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel
Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 11, 2026
5. St. Michael's Cathedral Interior
Photographed by Edward deGroff, circa 1886
6. Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel c1886
Photograph by Edward deGroff c.1886-1890
Courtesy Anchorage Museum of History and Art
Photograph submitted with National Register of Historic Places nomination
Courtesy Anchorage Museum of History and Art
Photograph submitted with National Register of Historic Places nomination
Photographed by Alvis Hendley, May 16, 2011
7. National Historic Landmark plaque
National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2019, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. This page has been viewed 468 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 17, 2019, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. 5. submitted on August 13, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 6, 7. submitted on May 17, 2019, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
