Resurrection Lutheran Church (Juneau, Alaska)

Resurrection was, in one sense, the rebirth of Immanual Lutheran of Douglas. In 1900 Dr. S. P. Lindahl was sent to explore the gold field of Alaska. On his recommendation, work was begun on Douglas Island, with Juneau and Skagway as auxiliary stations. The congregation organized in 1912. A cave-in at Treadwell Mine cause many members to move away. By 1920 the congregation ceased to exist. Field missionary Perry Baisler began conducting services again in July of 1924. Resurrection was formally organized on Easter Sunday, April 11, 1926. The first pastor was Rev. Harry Allen who arrived September 26, 1926. the people purchased an old cigar factory and renovated it into a church. The Rev. John Cauble arrived June 1, 1937 and served until October 12, 1941. In 1940 he helped reorganize the Sitka Lutheran Church which had been founded in 1840. The church operated a fisherman’s center and community hospital. In 1953 property was purchased, and ground was broken in May of the following year. A new church was dedicated on November 12, 1954 with nearly 1,000 in attendance. On June 20, 1973 an arsonist set fires to the church. The congregation met in the Northern Light United Church that summer and shared facilities with Holy Trinity Episcopal Church for the next two years. Groundbreaking for a new church took place on October 6, 1974 with the first services on October 5, 1975. Formal dedication was held October 12, 1975.