St. Michael's Repairs
Dear Editor:
The congregation and friends of St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral are reaching out to the community for donations needed to repair the historic church.
The original church was built by Russian missionaries, most notably Bishop Innocent Veniaminov, in the 1840s. It was totally destroyed in the 1966 downtown fire. The current cathedral was reconstructed in the 1970s with donations. The history of the cathedral is tied to Tlingit, Russian and modern-day American culture. It is a National Historic Landmark, owned and maintained solely by the Sitka Orthodox parish.
This landmark defines Sitka and historic Russian Alaska for many visitors and Orthodox pilgrims. It is used extensively in advertising for our community.
Sadly, deferred maintenance has caught up to this respected structure. The height, design and the extent of damage will make repairs costly.
Here are our challenges:
* RAIN LEAKS FROM THE ONION DOME ATOP THE MAIN CUPOLA ONTO THE ALTAR. Tarps and buckets are checked daily. This fix may require removal of the upper roof. Estimate: $40,000
* RAIN LEAKS FROM THE MAIN CEDAR SHINGLE ROOF INTO THE ATTIC. Hard weather, wind, rusted mails and birds have loosened shingles. A new shingle roof, flashing, some sheathing
an fascia are needed. Estimate: $180,000
* THE 40-FOOT SPIRE ATOP BELLFRY HAS A SOFT AND ROTTED FRAME. Removal by crane, transport by truck to shop, repairs and then replacement, a temporary roof is required. Estimate $200,000
* CONCRETE BASEMENT ONGOING REPAIRS. Dampness and mildew have closed the use if this meeting and social hall. Rerouting of rain drains, sump pump repairs, cleaning, repainting and sealant throughout are needed. Estimate: $80,000
* EXTERIOR PAINTING, ROT REPLACEMENT, CAULKING, GENERAL REPAIRS. Removal of failing paint, wood repair or replacement, sealing, priming, tenting, heating to dry. Estimate: $165,000
* FRONT ENTRY STEPS ROTTING AND SLIPPERY. Need to re-screw and thoroughly clean, tent and heat,, recoat with urethane and nonskid system. Estimate: $32,000
The Cathedral has provided the first $75,000 toward the needed repairs. Please help with a sizable contribution that will make a difference. Our community’s connection to St. Michael’s I not only religious, it is cultural, commercial-tourism, historical, artistic and educational. We all gain from the Cathedral’s existence at the very heart of Sitka and I some say, we all claim St. Michael’s Cathedral as our own.
Tax-deductible gifts may be made to St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral Repairs, Box 697, Sitka, Alaska 99835.
Thank you,
Father Ishmael Andrew
Ana Ditmar
Pete Hagan
