These churches have an unusual feature or two worth going out of the way for. Call the church office to inquire if they’re accessible for viewing outside of worship hours; many also have explanatory pamphlets to assist with your visit.

Holy Family Cathedral
This downtown Roman Catholic cathedral was the site of a visit by Pope John Paul II in 1989 during his trip to Anchorage.  They recently installed six beautiful stained glass windows made in Bavaria in 1889 and rescued from a shuttered church.  An instant local treasure, they’re a tribute to congregation and clergy desiring to place beautiful reminders of the gospel story into their worship space.  Newly restored Stations of the Cross are also now in place.

First Presbyterian Church
The modern architecture of this downtown church houses a fantastic wall of stained glass. Composed of dalle, or slab glass panels, this wall of light and color draws one’s mind to spiritual themes; a wonder to behold.

All Saints Episcopal Church
Sited among downtown Anchorage office buildings, this small church houses beautiful stained glass panels on three of the four sanctuary walls. The late Senator Ted Stevens considered this his church home when in Anchorage and lay in repose here before his funeral.

Resurrection Chapel – Holy Spirit Center
This upper Hillside Catholic chapel offers 180-degree views of the mountains to the west and north of Anchorage.  The view of Denali, North America’s tallest peak, is breathtaking here.

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
Sweeping vistas of the Chugach and Kenai mountains are offered from their East and South facing sanctuary windows.  A wonderful Bach-type organ in the sanctuary is used Sunday’s.

St. John United Methodist Church
United Methodist pastor/member, David Fison, carved two totems of Alaska cedar, representing several Christian traditions, during his pastorate in Southeast Alaska. One, a replica erected outside, depicts the Christmas story. The other, also in replica outside, depicts the Easter story, while the original, more than 20 feet tall, is inside the sanctuary of this lower Hillside church.

United Methodist Church of Chugiak
If you’d like to see Denali through a church window, there’s no better place to see it than in this church. With floor to ceiling glass facing Denali, it’s a delightful way to worship God, bringing nature right into the church.

St Nicholas Orthodox Church – Eklutna
A short drive north of Anchorage is the small Alaska Native village of Eklutna where you’ll find an old log Russian Orthodox Church, a graveyard with traditional native spirit houses, and a new Orthodox church. Guided tours are available but donations are requested for maintenance and upkeep.

St. Innocent Russian Orthodox Cathedral
This Russian style cathedral contains beautiful iconography and is a delight to visit.

Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church
Housing a diverse congregation, this new basilica style church contains meaningful icons representing important persons connected with this ancient faith.  If you are here during August, their Alaska Greek Festival, with music, food, and dancing, is not to be missed.

St. John Orthodox Cathedral – Eagle River
Located in a quiet area north of Anchorage, this striking Antiochian Orthodox cathedral is a beautiful site for pictures externally, and internally a feast for the eyes of architecture and icons.  While there, look for their small chapel, St. Sergius of Radonezh Chapel, a short hike away from the main cathedral.

If you are aware of other local churches that are great candidates to include on this list, please contact me at churchvisits@gmail.com.