St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 611 Lincoln Street, had its beginning in 1895 when Peter Trimble Rose was named to be the first bishop for Alaska and he chose Sitka as the “See City” of Alaska.
The first Episcopal service was held at the Presbyterian Chapel on Thanksgiving Day in 1896. Ground was broken for the church in 1899, with the first service held there on Thanksgiving Day of that year.
The See House or rectory was built in 1905, and the annex in 1956. The pipe organ was ordered, built and installed in 1969.
One of unusual features of St. Peter’s is that Bishop Rowe, his first wife, Dora, and one of his sons are buried on the front lawn.
The church and See House were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Bishop Rowe personally helped build the stone work of the church. Among the features of the Gothic Revival structure of stone and timber is a rose window above the sanctuary doors with the six-pointed Star of David, a reminder of the beginnings of the Christian faith, church historian Nancy Ricketts pointed out in her 2006 book “A Brief History of St. Peter’s by-the-Sea.”
Sunday services are held in person at 9 a.m. in person and on Zoom. The church is open daily for persons to stop in for a time of quiet, rest and prayer.
The church can be contacted at stpetersbytheseak@gmail.com and (907) 747-3977.
