Slaterville in 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: Religion & Religious Structures
this page online
Location. 64° 50.707′ N, 147° 43.3′ W. Marker is in Fairbanks, Alaska, in Fairbanks North Star Borough. It is in Slaterville. It is on Cushman Street south of Illinois Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 115 Cushman Street, Fairbanks AK 99701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Alaska Railroad Corridor, in the Athabascan Region, and in Interior Alaska. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, the Pacific Rim, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Russian Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fairbanks Riverfront (within shouting distance of this marker); 1967 Chena River Flood (within shouting distance of this marker); Community Volunteers (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 17, 2024
2. Immaculate Conception Church NRHP Marker
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 in the growth of Fairbanks.
Also see . . . Immaculate Conception Church National Register Nomination Form. (Submitted on March 3, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 17, 2024
3. Immaculate Conception Church Markers
Photographed by Jason Fountain, June 16, 2019
4. Immaculate Conception Church
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 17, 2024
5. Immaculate Conception Church Marker
Photographed by Jason Fountain, June 16, 2019
6. Immaculate Conception Church from across the river
Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2019, by Jason Fountain of Arlington, Virginia. This page has been viewed 789 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 16, 2019, by Jason Fountain of Arlington, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on September 19, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 4. submitted on June 16, 2019, by Jason Fountain of Arlington, Virginia. 5. submitted on September 19, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 6. submitted on June 16, 2019, by Jason Fountain of Arlington, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
