On behalf of all the parishioners of the Holy Assumption Russian Orthodox Church and the hundreds of tourists who visit Kenai’s National Historic Landmark every summer, I would like to extend sincere thanks to all of the people who recently contributed their time and effort to erect the new fence around the church. Our old fence had been partially destroyed by wind and weather over the years. The new fence beautifully transforms the exterior of the church to look much like it did in 1895 when it was consecrated.
Mayor Pat Porter deserves a huge amount of recognition for her help in coordinating the project and recruiting volunteers. We are very grateful to Jaylene Peterson-Nyren and the Kenaitze Indian Tribe for their generous donation of paint. Spenard Builders Supply graciously transported the wood to Wildwood Correctional Facility where Shannon McCloud, Assistant Superintendent of Wildwood, and Daniel Mort, Maintenance Foreman, directed the painting of all the posts, pickets, and cross pieces by several inmates. Bob Frates and his crew from Parks & Recreation volunteered their time to cut all of the pickets and then delivered them on site to the church yard. Steve Attleson, Jesse Rice, and Dain Shivers of Fireweed Fence installed all of the posts and made sure they were squarely placed around the perimeter. Tom Burg, Doug McAuliffe, Jodene McAuliffe, Mark Stynsberg, Larry Croft, LeRoy Heinrich, Cliff Heus, and Joe Harris of the Unocal Retirees took over the next part of the project, adding all of the cross pieces and pickets with the help of Roger James, local parishioner. And last, but not least, thanks to Grant Crosby and Anne Matsov from the National Park Service which was able to donate about half of the lumber needed for the project.
This was a true community effort that renovated and renewed the church’s appearance, allowing this historic building to shine like the National Historic Landmark that it is.
Our eternal thanks to all who were involved.
Sincerely,
Dorothy Gray
Secretary, Holy Assumption Russian Orthodox Church, Kenai