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St. Nicholas Church
Atka, Alaska
Owner: Aleutian Pribilof Heritage Group

Architects: ECI/Hyer

Project Start Date: 1995

Project Completion: November 1995

 



The Aleut Church Restoration Society contacted Davis Constructors in March of 1995 about a new Russian Orthodox Church in Atka, Alaska. Atka's original church had been burned to the ground during World War II. Another church was built in the early 50's of green lumber which did not hold up to the harsh climate. The Restoration Society's mission is to rebuild and/or restore the churches of the Aleutians and Pribilof Islands and return pride and ownership back to the communities.

The building site chosen by the community was surrounded by several grave sites. Special precautions were necessary during excavation to avoid the graves and minimize the disturbance to the surrounding ground. Modifications were made to the foundation to avoid moving one particular grave considered too sacred to move.

The facility is a 1700 square foot wood frame structure with concrete footings and pre-manufactured roof trusses. All construction work was done by hand with minimal equipment assistance. Davis Constructors supplied management supervision and additional tradesmen as required to supplement the local crew. The pride of the community and the hard work of the locals made the project a great success and the church is characterized as the "Jewel of the Aleutians".


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