The Church in USA—Alaska

The first members of the Church came to Alaska with the gold rush in 1898. One of them, Dr. Edward G. Cannon, was a 79-year-old convert. In his attempt to establish the Church in Alaska, he maintained a movable “tabernacle” that he transported from settlement to settlement. The first official congregation in Alaska was organized in 1938, and by 1961, there were 3,050 members there.

Church growth continued with Alaska’s population growth in the late 1960s. Growth was spurred by extensive rebuilding following earthquake damage and by an oil discovery. In 1981, the Church built several special Church buildings designed for the Arctic weather.

One of the first smaller Church temples was built and dedicated in Anchorage in 1999.

Here are a few facts about the Church today in Alaska:

Membership	31,268
Missions	1
Temples	1
Wards & Branches	82
Family History Centers	21

Photograph by Byron Warner