Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-12
TIE RUSSIAN CHURCH.
Orthodox Establishments In San
Francisco and Alaska.

Notwithstanding the fact that Rus
STA parted with its last bit.of territory
in America when she sold Alaska to
our government, the empire still con-
tinues its interest in the Greek church
in this country and contributes every
year 1920 toward the Christian
work. In the States the only Greek
church at present is in San Francisco.
Neither New York nor any of the
eastern cities have SO much as a
chapel. OF the eleven churches on
American soil ten are in Alaska and
are located at Sitka, Kodiac, Coma
laska, Kervay, Neuschagak. Atka,
Bsllokvska, and on the St. Paul, St.
George, and st. Michael islands. The
largest churches are those at Sitka and
Kodiak. Having many valuable or
namonts brought from Russia ia the
days of that empires control of
Alaska. the chapels are among the
most interesting features of our north
ern territory. The Sitka church is a
small, time stained edifce, facing the
main street of Sitka, and services are
held in it every Sunday by priest of
the Greek church, who has been sent
out from home to minister to the peo-
pie who still reside in Alaska. The
other chapels in Shat country, with
the exception Of the one at Kodiak,
are rudely built and are attended but
by limited number of people. In
1867, when Alaska was turned
over to our government, the larger
proportion of Russians preferred to
return to their native country, and
the fact that Russia gives even $32, 600
to support its church IA our territory
must be taken as an evidenc: of the
care that the Russian archbishop takes
of his people wherever they are.
A gentleman lately returned to this
city from Alaska was seen yesterday
by Chronicle reporter. In reply to
the question as to the influence that
was still exerted by the Greek church
in Alaska. he said:
1.-The Sltka church is regularly at
tended, and there are enough Rus
SLAMS left to make very fair-sized
congregation. The priest is cult
waited man, and the school that is
under his supervision does much good
in educating the children. | think
that the Greek church does q great
deal of good. The natives are accus
toned to it, having known it so long,
and they are attracted by the cere-
mony, which is impressive"
Are the priests missionaries as
weli2"
Yes; they visit the sick and go
among the poor. On st. Paul island
the Russian school is the only one that
the natives have, and at other stations
the influence of the church is always
for the public good. A greater part
of the money given by Russia to the
American Greek churches is spent in
Alaska"
The Russian church in this city has
baen established about four years, and
is presided over by Father Westhom-
off The chapel is on Powell street,
near Union, and is tastefully decora
ted in the interior with pictures and
ornaments brought from Russia. Elk
cept for the large cross that ogertops
the cornic9, one in passing would
scarcely imagine that the ordinary
| looking double house was anything
but dwelling. On calling there re-
Gently, the Chronicle reporter was
ushered into simply but very com
fortably furnished library, where be
was soon joined by Father Westhom-
off.
Il have been here but few years."
said the gentleman, land am the only
Greek church priest in the city. We
have here school, in which [ teach,
that is attended by the Russian child
rem of the city who desire to learn
your language, and by Americans
who wish to learn ours. We have
not boarding school, but a day
school free to all. There are very few
Russian Christians in the city and
not more sthan thirty come to church
on Sunday. Will you come into our
church2 Yes2 Good! 1t is not very
elegant, you think. No, it is not; but
it is very good for us. The ekonistan
has pictures from Russia, and this of
our patron saint, st. Alexander, is
painted by Sagiskoff, one of our best
artists. You should come sop1e Sun
day. Our singing is very good. We
some days less. The Russians here
are never settled day in San Fran
cisco, tomorrow away, do not know
where"
The church occupies the left section
of the Powell street house, and the
holy of holes, behind the ekonistan,
looks directly out upon Powell street
and down it to where the waters of the
bay stretch away to Alcatraz The
ornaments are of silver and gold
plated ware, and are picturesque rath-
er than valuable. The vestmeuts,
however, are of rich material, and
few of the paintings are finely execu-
ted. The church is small and its con-
gregation is spase. Located in the
midst of the city, few know of its ex-
istlnce, and few have realized that
San Francisco contains that which no
other American city possesses.