Shrine of St. Therese Chapel

The Shrine ("Shrine Chapel") the Heart of the Shrine of St. Therese

The Shrine Chapel, located on Shrine Island (originally Crow Island--to this day it is an annual spring crow nesting site), was built as a labor of love. It is not surprising that Bishop Joseph Raphael Crimont, S.J., gave his strong support for the construction of the Shrine of St. Therese. Bishop Crimont had a special connection with the Little Way Saint, St. Therese of Lisieux, and even attributed personal miracles to her intercession for his needs. Bishop Crimont was from St. Therese's native country, France, and he knew members of her family. He also knew of her devotion to the missions while she was living and he placed the entire Alaskan Territory under her protection five years prior to her being canonization.

In the summer of 1937, George Murphy, a dedicated volunteer from New York, cleared off the trees, grubbed out the stumps, dug the trenches for the concrete foundation, and helped to pour the concrete footings in preparation for the stone structure that was to be a focus of construction the next year.

D.P. "Doc" Holden, a stone craftsman by trade, was foreman of the Shrine Chapel project. Originally, the Shrine Chapel was to have been constructed from logs, but due to a severe storm, most of the logs that had been cut were scattered and washed out to sea. It was no accident that Doc Holden arrived on the Shrine scene at the right timing, and having the expertise and plenty of rock resources available, moved ahead to build a stone church.

Though equipment was sparse, the work of constructing the Chapel continued during the building season from 1938 on, and through the labor of love, the Chapel was completed in due time. It was through the gift of many willing helpers that the rocks found their way from the shores around Shrine Island to the building site. School children from St. Ann's Catholic School, Boy Scouts, and others, some unemployed men seeking a place to stay and a bite to eat, hauled the thousands of rocks needed for the completion of this Sacred place.

On October 30, 1938, the Feast of Christ the King, many gathered on Shrine Island for the laying of the cornerstone in the outside bell tower wall. Bishop Joseph Raphael Crimont S.J., bishop of all the Territory of Alaska, blessed the cornerstone which held a copper box containing time capsule items, written information and newspapers, and a film of the blessing ceremony. (Fifty years later, on October 30, 1988, the time capsule was removed and the contents revealed to the congregation during a special 50 year anniversary Liturgy celebration with Bishop Michael H. Kenny, bishop of the Diocese of Juneau, presiding. The film that was found inside the capsule was sent to Palmer Studios of California where it was partially restored in quality. On Memorial Day of 1989, the original film along with the contents of the old time capsule were returned to the cornerstone. In addition, a new time capsule, filled with current items and messages and blessed by Bishop Kenny and Archbishop Francis Hurley of Anchorage, was installed in the rock wall above the old time capsule. Plans are to once again open the capsules on the 100th Anniversary, October, 2038).

Lots of skilled craftsmanship went into the construction and finish work of the Shrine Chapel. Besides the fine stone work under the supervision of Doc Holden, the hardware for the doors was hand fashioned by an old timer, and the interior wood work was done by Harry Ellingen. He also built the pews that continue to be used today out of Southeast Alaskan yellow cedar. The ceiling trusses were constructed in the St. Ann's School Gym and transported to the Shrine and placed in their appropriate alignment for the roof.

As a later plan in the summer of 1939, prior to the pouring the concrete floor and before the windows were in place, a crypt was blasted out of the rock by an expert from the A.J.Mine, Art Reindeau. This future resting place for Bishops, located below the altar area, was made to be able to contain five or six tombs. Bishop Criminate died May 20, 1945 and was entombed there; Bishop Kenny died February 19, 1995 and was entombed there March 4.

After thousands of work hours and years of labor, the inaugural Mass was held in the Shrine Chapel on October 28, 1941. Fr. William G. LeVasseur S.J., the ramrod behind the construction of the Shrine, was the celebrant of this most special occasion. The Shrine Chapel, measuring 63 X 28 feet with a 10 x 10 feet Notre Dame tower 28 feet high, had become real. As Fr. LeVasseur always said, "It was never just a dream; in mind it was always a reality."

The Shrine Chapel is open during the busier visitor season--April through September from 8:30 am to 10 PM and from 8:30 am to 8 PM the rest of the months. Currently, Liturgy is held at the Chapel on Sundays for sure during the summer months. Other Masses are held during the year on special occasions, like the feast of St. Therese, or when Catholic retreats are in session.

The Shrine Chapel has been a very spiritual center for local Juneau people and thousands of travelers or pilgrims over the last sixty + years and we want to make sure that it continues to be a welcoming beacon for all who want to visit the Shrine. Being that the Shrine Chapel is truly the heart of the whole Shrine complex, plans are under way to extensively renovate this Holy Place and make needed repairs. Some enhancement changes are needed to make it more comfortable and accessible for visitors and some are extremely necessary to preserve this unique Shrine. One of the first things already accomplished in October 2002, was the construction of a handicap ramp so that many who are partially handicapped or in wheel chairs will be able to visit the inside of the Chapel. Other renovations will consist of needed repairs due to seepage around the rocks, causing the interior to deteriorate, improvement of the heating and lighting systems, new heat efficient windows, new roofing and insulation, and many other minor repairs too numerous to mention.

The Shrine was built on a foundation of love and this foundation remains today. The building of love upon this foundation depends on those who are willing to continue to give love in ways of service, time and finances. It is estimated that the repair/renovation needs of the Shrine will cost in excess of $500,000. Any donations that are sent for the work on the Chapel will be used responsibly for the good of the Shrine so that many will be even more blessed when they visit the Shrine. This kindness on the part of the benefactors, perhaps you, will ensure that this blessed place will continue to touch the lives of the visitors and pilgrims as it has done over the past many years. Contributions for this project are considered charitable donations and such can be entered in as part of one’s annual IRS tax statement. Donations can be sent to: Shrine of St. Therese, Repair/Renov. Fd., 5933 Lund St., Juneau, AK 99801. Thank you so much for sharing in this unique and special ministry. For questions, contact the Director at (907) 780-6112 or e-mail at fitterer@gci.net

See also Shrine History and Wedding Planning at the Shrine.