Ninilchik is a community on the western Kenai Peninsula, on the Sterling Highway. Founded around 1846 as a Russian-era settlement, it is best known for the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Chapel, a historic Russian Orthodox church built in 1901 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[1]
| Borough | Kenai Peninsula Borough |
|---|---|
| Village founded | 1846 |
| Chapel built | 1901 |
| National Register listing | 22 May 1978 |
| Chapel size | About 20 by 50 ft |
| Chapel location | Mile 135, Sterling Highway |
History
The village dates from about 1846, and the chapel of 1901 replaced an older church from near the founding. As of 1977 the chapel and a heavily altered schoolhouse were among the few remaining artifacts of the community’s Russian past.[1]
Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Chapel
The chapel stands on Orthodox Avenue at Mile 135 of the Sterling Highway. It is a small church of about 20 by 50 feet with a roughly cross-shaped plan, mainly designed by Alexi Andreev Oskolkoff, who came from Sitka to supervise construction. It was recorded in the Alaska Heritage Resources Survey on 18 May 1973 (KEN-046) and added to the National Register of Historic Places on 22 May 1978. It was also documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey and now belongs to the Diocese of Alaska of the Orthodox Church in America.[1]
FAQs
Where is Ninilchik? On the Sterling Highway on the western Kenai Peninsula.
What is the Ninilchik chapel? A Russian Orthodox church built in 1901, listed on the National Register in 1978.
When was Ninilchik founded? About 1846.
Sources
Key facts
- Village founded 1846
- Chapel on National Register 1978
Quick checkWhen was the Ninilchik chapel built?Show answer
1901
Sources
- Wikipedia. Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Chapel. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-13)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 13, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue