Church 1
Unknown
Protestant Church in Palmer
Image shows the north side of the Palmer Protestant Church in winter with trees in the foreground and background and with snow all over. A power pole and power lines are in the foreground. This photo is printed on a postcard, but has no attribution to a photographer.
Palmer, Alaska
Church 10
Unknown
A film crew documents choir practice at the Presbyterian Church in Palmer
Image is of a Warner Brothers film crew documenting choir practice in the log Presbyterian Church in Palmer. Identified members of the choir are Rev. Bert Bingle at the pulpit, Harry Wimmer, Howard Estelle and Ruth DeArmond Estelle at right.
Palmer, Alaska
Church 11
Unknown
Interior of St. Michaels Catholic Church in Palmer
Image is a view of the interior sanctuary of the log St. Michaels Catholic Church in Palmer as it appeared not long after it was construction in 1937. Statues, pictures and other religious objects are apparent.
Palmer, Alaska
Church 12
Unknown
Eklutna Russian Orthodox Church
Image is of the old log church at Eklutna Village, facing the front entry. Prominent is the bell tower over the entry porch. Scattered trees adjacent and snow-clad mountains beyond.
Eklutna, Alaska
Church 13
Mac's Photo Shop
Eklutna Russian Orothodox Church
Image is a three quarter side view of the Eklutna Russian Orthodox Church in the foreground. Identity and instruction signs are in near foreground. People are walking among grave houses in middle ground with trees beyond.
Eklutna, Alaska
Church 14
2nd Mapping Squadron, U.S. Army Air Force
Eklutna Russian Orthodox church and burial houses
Image shows a springtime view of several Native burial houses in foreground, a log Russian Orthodox church in middle ground, trees and snow-clad mountains beyond.
Eklutna, Alaska
Church 15
Jackson
Old Russian Church at Eklutna
Image is of the old log Russian Orthodox Church at Eklutna. Scattered trees are visible, other buildings are partially visible beyond the church as are snow-clad mountains.
Eklutna, Alaska
Church 16
Harry Wolfe, Architect
Architect’s rendering of the new Catholic Church to be built in Palmer.
Image is of the architect’s rendering of the new St. Michael’s Catholic Church to be built in Palmer, Alaska to serve the increase in population associated with the Matanuska Colony project.
Palmer, Alaska
Church 17
Unknown
United Protestant Church in Palmer
Image is a summer view of the west side of the United Protestant (Presbyterian) Church in Palmer as seen from S. Denali St. The associated Manse is visible at right.
Palmer, Alaska
Church 18
Unknown
Pastor’s Residence, or Manse, United Protestant Church in Palmer
Image is a summer view of the Pastor’s residence, or “Manse”, associated with the United Protestant (Presbyterian) Church in Palmer.
Palmer, Alaska
Church 19
Hitchen
The old St. Nicholas Orthodox Church at Eklutna Village is seen in the fall of 1948
This fall color photo shows a three-quarter rear view of the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Eklutna Village in foreground, displaying the south side and east end as it appeared in 1948. A sheet of corrugated metal roofing lies on the ground against the rear wall. A young spruce tree stands in immediate foreground at right and another frames the image standing near the front of the church at left. The bell tower and cross are plainly visible over the front of the church at left and a smaller cross is less obvious on the roof at the rear. The joint where the horizontal logs of the side wall join is plainly visible. Numerous snags and leafless trees are visible beyond the building in far middle ground.
Eklutna, Alaska
Church 2
Unknown
Palmer First Church of God with construction essentially complete in 1949
Image shows the First Church of God in Palmer. Construction began in 1947 and this photo shows construction essentially complete in 1949.
Palmer, Alaska
Church 20
Elsie Havens
This old log St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox church, reputed to have been erected here in 1897, stands ready in this photo to continue accommodating services until the new church would be constructed nearby in 1962. The old church continues to be maintained as historically important.
This spring image features a foreground view of the west (front entrance) and south sides of the old St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church at Eklutna Native village. The building sits in a cleared area with heavy leafless birch and cottonwood forest in middle ground behind. A dark rounded mountain forms the near background beyond the trees with a snow-clad peak above in far background.
Eklutna, Alaska
Church 21
Unknown
The interior of the log United Protestant Church in Palmer displays why the building is often called "The Church of a Thousand Trees."
This photo shows the interior of the United Protestant Church in Palmer soon after it was constructed in 1937.
Palmer, Alaska
Church 22
Moore's Photo
Comparison of this photo with photo "Church 21" shows a maturing commitment of the congregation toward their church.
This photo of the interior of the Palmer United Protestant Church sanctuary shows improvements made by the mid 1950's since initial construction in 1937. Upgrades include addition of an electric organ, new pews, new pulpit and chandeliers.
Palmer, Alaska
Church 23
Unknown
The choir loft and pulpit stand ready for services at the head of the sanctuary in the United Protestant Church in Palmer.
This photo shows a foreground view of the alter table, pulpit and choir loft of the United Protestant Church in Palmer. Reflecting the nickname "Church of a Thousand Trees", the back wall, sides and front dividers of the choir loft exhibit the log character of the rest of the church. A framed cross on the back wall at the peak of the loft is also constructed of small logs. The small table in near foreground and the pulpit behind were crafted by local craftsmen from local trees as well. Carved on the front panel of the table are the words "In Remembrance Of Me". A white vase of flowers sits atop the table with two wooden offering plates stacked on either side.
Palmer, Alaska
Church 24
James W. Mordecai
Long-time caretaker of the old Eklutna Russian Orthodox Church, Mike Alex, stands proudly in front of the colorful religious trappings inside the building.
This color image of the interior of the old Russian Orthodox Church in Eklutna shows the colorful front panels, paintings and other objects in the building. Wheat-colored fabric covers the walls and ceiling, held in place with wooden strips. Rugs on the wooden floor lead up to the alter where the alter cloth exhibits a black image of the Orthodox cross. A local man, identified as Mike Alex, dressed in light tan jacket and pants, stands facing the camera at left. Mr. Alex is identified as caretaker of the church for many years.
Eklutna, Alaska
Church 25
James W. Mordecai
Caretaker Mike Alex stands proudly inside the new Russian Orthodox Church he helped build in Eklutna, Alaska.
Mike Alex, caretaker of this Eklutna Russian Orthodox Church, stands at the front of the church interior surrounded by religious symbols and ceremonial structures. Gold crosses, paintings and tapestries stand in front of a partition wall accessed by three doors behind Mr. Alex. A rectangular gas stove is visible at left, an accommodation for winter services. No benches or pews are in evidence as most attendees stand during services.
Eklutna, Alaska
Church 26
Unknown
Eklutna's Historic Park provides visitors with a view of their old log church, their new church and the cemetery with its colorful small "spirit houses".
This summer color photo of a portion of Eklutna Village's Historical Park shows several small colorful traditional grave houses, or "spirit houses" as they're sometimes called, in foreground. The old log St. Nicholas Orthodox Church is seen in middle ground at left with the new white church constructed in 1962 slightly behind and to the right. A small brown shed of indeterminate purpose sits next to a large birch tree somewhat between the two churches. Heavy deciduous forest occupies the immediate background with a couple of residences partially visible at left. Miner views of mountain tops with very small snow remnants are evident behind the trees. Heavy black text in the upper left corner of the image identify the scene as: "Eklutna Historic Park; St. Nicholas Orthodox Church; Eklutna, Alaska".
Eklutna, Alaska
Church 3
Elsie Havens Blue
Log Church Building
Image shows the front of the Lutheran church in Palmer surrounded by trees. Two cars are parked in front of the church.
Palmer, Alaska
Church 4
Unknown, possibly Irv Plitt
Palmer Lutheran Church
Image is of the front (west side) of the log Lutheran church with grass expanse in front and birch trees beyond.
Palmer, Alaska
Church 5
Unknown, possibly Irv Plitt
Palmer Lutheran Church
Image is of the front (west side) of the Palmer Lutheran log church with birch trees in foreground and a mountain beyond. A sign is visible in the left foreground and a plaque is visible on the church wall.
Palmer, Alaska
Church 6
Unknown
Lutheran Church in Palmer, Alaska
Summer view of north and west side of the Lutheran Church in Palmer, Alaska.
Palmer, Alaska
Church 7
Unknown
Lutheran Church in Palmer, Alaska
Summer view of west and south sides of the Lutheran Church in Palmer, Alaska. Construction appears to be complete but grounds are not yet fully cleaned up.
Palmer, Alaska
Church 8
Jackson
Church, Building
Image shows the north side of a log church, identified as the Protestant Church, also commonly referred to as the Community (Presbyterian) Church or the "Church of a Thousand Trees", in Palmer, Alaska. Trees are evident in front and beyond and power lines overhead.
Palmer, Alaska
Church 9
Unknown
Funeral setting in Palmer Protest Church
Image is of the interior of the Palmer Protestant Church, unoccupied pews in foreground, a closed casket in front with floral bouquets prominent.
Palmer, Alaska
Church Construction 1
Unknown
Church, Building
Image shows a man standing on a log wall beside several peeled log rafters with log walls behind and below. Various boards lean against the rafters and a power cord with a light bulb hangs from one rafter. The structure under construction is identified as the Community (Presbyterian) Church of Palmer. There is evidence of light snow cover and the man is warmly dressed. Tress form the backdrop.
Palmer, Alaska
Church Construction 2
Unknown
United Protestant Church under construction in Palmer
Image is a winter view of the United Protestant Church in Palmer under construction. Several men are visible applying roof boards on the log structure. Birch trees are in foreground with snow on the ground.
Palmer, Alaska
