St. Nicholas is considered the oldest surviving Russian Orthodox church in Alaska.

1892, the Bishop of Alaska, visited Juneau and was met by a delegation of Juneau chiefs who said they wished to be baptized and that they would donate land, lumber and labor for a church.

Nicholas agreed and left a priest at Juneau. Three days later, Chief Ishkhanalykh and his wife were baptized and received the Christian names Dmitrii and Elizaveta.

In 1893, Bishop Nicholas provided $2,000 for church construction and Chief Ishkhanalykh gave the land. Other natives of Juneau provided lumber and labor.

Early in 1894, Bishop Nicholas consecrated the church in the name of St. Nicholas, Protector of Mariners.

Excerpted from the NRHP nomination submitted in September 1973.