Juneau’s Resurrection Lutheran Church to host centennial celebration
Published 1:30 pm Sunday, September 13, 2026
Resurrection Lutheran Church (RLC) is set to celebrate 100 years of history and service in Juneau.
RLC is hosting a full weekend of centennial events for the whole community, starting with a meet and greet with appetizers and punch on Sept. 18 from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by a display of historic artifacts, records, and photos from church archives on Sept. 19 from 2 to 4 p.m., where baptism, confirmation, and wedding records can be viewed, with a centennial worship service on Sept. 20.
Pastors Mark Holman and Mark Griffith will hold the service alongside Alaska Synod Bishop Tim Oslovich. Coffee hour will wrap up the centennial weekend.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Resurrection was formally organized in Juneau on April 11, 1926, with 46 charter members — some of whom have descendants still living in Juneau.
“RLC followed Immanuel Lutheran Church in Douglas, incorporated in 1915,” RLC stated. “After the Treadwell Mines cave-in and flooding in 1917, Immanuel Lutheran Church ceased to exist by 1920; the church structure later burned during the 1937 Douglas fire.”
Worship was held in the Moose Hall with RLC’s first pastor, Rev. Harry R. Allen, before moving to the Odd Fellows Hall. Pews were purchased from the old Immanuel church in Douglas, barged across Gastineau Channel, and moved by congregant Olaf Torkelsen to the church by horse-drawn wagon.
RLC membership tripled to 150 communicants and continued to grow throughout the 1930s when Juneau’s population reached approximately 3,700. The congregation also included several Japanese-American families, some of which were sent to internment camps in the Lower 48 after Dec. 7, 1941.
“RLC was an anchor for its Japanese-American members before, during, and after their internment,” the church added. “During World War II, RLC also served as a center for hundreds of service members housed at the Duck Creek Quonset huts.”
The church outgrew its building in the early 1950s and purchased its current property on 10th Street and Glacier Avenue in 1953. A new building was dedicated the following year with nearly 1,000 people attending.
An education wing was added in 1968, but an arson fire in 1973 completely destroyed the building. RLC rebuilt on the original foundations two years later, and significant remodels of the narthex, library, washrooms, and an elevator addition were completed in 1997.
A major front entry addition was built in 2013.
“Through the years, Resurrection Lutheran Church has been known for its educational programs including preschools, Sunday schools, confirmation, and adult classes,” the church stated. “Its musical offerings, outstanding vocal and bell choirs, music directors, and musicians were and are renowned in the community.”
The church has hosted concerts and meetings for numerous groups, such as Bach singers, Tlingit dancers, and the Juneau String Ensembles.
RLC has participated in starting or restarting other churches, such as Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church.
“RLC continues to run an active food pantry and quilting group, and extends a warm welcome and service to all people,” RLC added.
