Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Chapel, Russian Orthodox chapel in Ninilchik, Alaska, United States.
The Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Chapel is a wooden house of worship in Ninilchik marked by its cross-shaped design and onion dome crowning the tower. The building measures roughly 20 by 50 feet and displays the colored and detailed craftsmanship typical of Russian Orthodox architecture from this era.
The chapel was built in 1901 under architect Alexi Andreev Oskolkoff's direction and replaced an earlier building that had served the community since the settlement's founding. This reconstruction took place when Russian cultural influence remained strong in the region.
The chapel reflects Russian Orthodox traditions that have shaped life in this Alaskan community. Its distinctive onion dome represents a form of worship brought by Russian settlers and continues to serve the local people today.
The chapel sits on Orthodox Avenue at mile 135 of Sterling Highway and is straightforward to locate using standard navigation. Visitors should know the site is in a small town and access can become challenging during Alaska's winter months.
The building is one of only two remaining structures from the Russian period in Ninilchik, standing alongside a modified schoolhouse as a rare witness to this history. Its preserved condition makes it a window into the region's past.
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