PARISH HISTORY

OUR HISTORY

The first church building was dedicated in 1980 after the merger of the St. Paul Miki Parish and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. In 1987, just one week before Christmas, the roof of the first church collapsed during noon Mass, and although the church was destroyed everyone escaped from the building and no injuries resulted.

It was not so long ago (1975) that faithful Catholics gathered in the Oriental Gardens restaurant dreaming of a parish and school. The dedication and faith of those Alaskans brought about the birth of both a parish and school within 6 short years. The parish and school grew up together under the leadership of Archbishop Francis T. Hurley, Fr. Thomas Connery, Fr. Ernest H. Muellerleile, Sr. Andrea Nenzel, C.S.J. and Sr. Marilee Murphy, C.S.J and many other dedicated priests and religious. These religious leaders gave form and shape to the faithful spirit already present in a committed band of laity. Even before the establishment of the parish there were many spirit-filled Catholics who had kept the faith alive and growing as they met to worship in an assortment of locations over the years including warehouses, the Oriental Gardens restaurant and the O’Malley School gymnasium.

In 1980, an endowment established by August F. Reetz pushed forward the building of the first Catholic school in Anchorage. The first church and school buildings of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish were dedicated on January 4, 1981. As the school was in its early stages Archbishop Francis T. Hurley laid out the values of faith, family, and excellence as he reminded the community that, “a parish school is not an entity ‘out there’ by itself. Rather it is part of the total life of the parish.” He reiterated the close connection between family life and the life of the school, stating that, “the values and practices fostered in the school must find expression and support in the home [as] the values and practices in the home should find corroboration in the school.” He also reminded the Catholic community of “the goals of Catholic education - to provide intellectual, social and religious experiences” (Hurley, 1979). The spaces created for the school and church continued to evolve over the years as our growing parish community sought to carry out this mission.

In 1999, under the leadership of Sr. Loretta Luecke and Fr. Scott Medlock, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton completed a $3 million, 14,000 square foot addition that included classrooms, offices and a multi-purpose facility. Some years after that feat was completed, a $3.1 million project renovated the school under the guidance of Fr. Tom Lilly. Today, the school and church provides a beautiful space for the nourishment of a diverse faith community.

At the original school and church dedication, Fr. Muellereleile described the territory and mission before us well as he wrote:

Generally, we think of St. Elizabeth’s as a city parish, although its outlying areas include many ‘bush type’ residences, and its hinterland of 1000 square miles includes untold numbers of mountains, valleys, and glaciers…

…Alaska is a land of frustration, and a land of opportunity. St. Elizabeth’s, in its young life, has experienced both the ups and the downs. But as Archbishop Francis T. Hurley dedicates both church and school on her feast day, Sunday, Jan. 4, 1981, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton will surely be looking down from the midst of God’s saints, pleased that in our parish life as in her own short span of years, what once seemed impossible, has with the grace of God, happened! And it is only the beginning. (1981, p. 7)

It was indeed only the beginning. In comparison to other places, we are still only at the beginning, yet we continue to grow in faith, family, and excellence through that pioneering spirit that persists in the life of the parish today.

References:

Hurley, F.T. (1979, December 14). A Catholic School in Anchorage: More Than Meets the Eye! Anchorage Times.

Muellerleile, E. H. (1981). The Church of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Anchorage, Alaska: The Beginnings.

The sculpture “Jesus and the Children” by Roberto Santo was installed during the 2012 renovation. It was designed so that Christ’s gaze is at the eye level of a child. The statue acts as a reminder of Christ’s invitation: “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Luke 18:16-17).

A mosaic depicting St. Elizabeth Ann Seton alongside St. Kateri, St. Francis, St. Therese of Lisieux and others stands in the central hallway of the school reminding children of the rich heritage Christ is inviting each of them into.