Book chronicles history of Catholic Church in Alaska

Published: 2005-12-14

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (CNS) -- Dog teams driven by missionaries through the silent frozen wilderness is just one of the stories in a new book chronicling the history of Catholicism in Alaska. "Alaskana Catholica: A History of the Catholic Church in Alaska," by Jesuit Father Louis Renner, is a reference work in an encyclopedia form with alphabetical listings of priests, religious, parishes and places that have made an impact on the faith in Alaska. The book looks at a history that stretches back to the day in 1779 when a Spanish Franciscan celebrated the first Mass in Alaska near present-day Craig.

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