Shrine Chapel
History
Although initially intended to be a log church, the Chapel, constructed of Shrine-site beach stone, was built in the late 1930s. Fr. William LeVasseur, a Jesuit priest from New Brunswick, Canada, had the idea and vision to create a retreat center in Alaska.
Bishop Joseph Raphael Crimont, S.J., the first bishop of Alaska, gave his consent and blessing to the establishment of the Shrine of St. Therese. The inaugural Mass was celebrated in the Chapel on the Feast of Christ the King, October 26, 1941. Following his death in 1945, Bishop Crimont was buried in a crypt under the Chapel altar area as a lasting memorial. In May of 1988, after nearly 50 years without a bell, one was installed in the tower and named “Raphael” (Bishop Crimont’s middle name), which means “God Heals.”
The Shrine of St. Therese is owned and operated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Juneau. It is our pleasure and joy to share this holy place of spiritual worship with individuals, couples, and groups who maintain the spirit of the Shrine.
Weddings at the Shrine Chapel
The Sacrament of Marriage is a sacred, joyous event in which a man and a woman establish a lifelong covenant with each other before God and the community. Only Catholic weddings are conducted at the Shrine, and the expectation is that either the bride or groom (or both) is a baptized, active Catholic. No wedding may be celebrated at the Shrine if one or both of the persons being married were previously married to another person who is still alive unless that previous marriage has first been declared null or dissolved in accordance with the procedures of the Catholic Church.
Marriage Preparation
The Shrine is in the Parish of St. Paul the Apostle, Juneau, Alaska. Father Mike Galbraith is the pastor of St. Paul's and the Shrine of St. Therese. All Shrine Weddings are arranged through the parish. Please contact Sandy Nolan, Parish Administrative Assistant, to begin the process.
Phone: (907)789-7307 ext. 2.
Email: stpauls@ptialaska.net
Fr. Mike will talk with you about the marriage preparation process, which typically takes six months. Fr. Mike will give you permission to contact the Shrine to reserve the Chapel.
Chapel and Cabin Reservations
If the couple wishes to reserve any Shrine cabins for the wedding party, family, and guests, they may do so at that time. In the case of a Catholic wedding, the Shrine's six-month reservation window is waived.
To make reservations, contact Joe Sehnert, Shrine Director, at 907-789-9815.
Please review the Chapel Rental Guidelines below.
The fee to rent the Chapel for a wedding is $350. The cost includes the rehearsal. The gratuity to the priest is not included in the Chapel fee.
Outdoor weddings are not allowed on the Shrine grounds. Church teaching states that marriage should only be celebrated within the church building.
Chapel Rental Guidelines
Wedding Rehearsals
Wedding rehearsals are usually arranged after 3 pm the day before the wedding, pending your priest's schedule.
Changing Room
There is no changing room at the Chapel, so some brides rent the smaller Post Office Cabin to prepare.
Decorations
The Shrine may be simply decorated with flowers, a runner, and reservation ribbons as befitting our patron, St. Therese. Nothing can be taped or adhered to the walls or rafters.
Altar
The Altar, benches, and statues cannot be moved.
Confetti
Glitter, birdseed, rice, and confetti cannot be thrown in the Chapel or on the Shrine campus.
Restrooms
There is no restroom or water on Shrine Island or in the Chapel.
Vehicles
Due to the lack of a turnaround spot and liability issues, vehicles may not be driven across the causeway to Shrine Chapel. This includes transporting flowers, the photographer's equipment as well as the arrival of the bride.
- Wagons are available to transport items to the Chapel.
- Wheelchairs are available on the side porch of the Lodge for those in need.
- Vehicles may drive to the lower area only to unload and should then return to the parking lot.
Parking
There are three parking lots on the Shrine campus - the main one and two smaller ones, accessed by crossing the bridge before the main parking lot. There are also two accessible parking spots near the Shrine Office for those with the appropriate stickers.
Wedding Photo
The Shrine of St. Therese would appreciate receiving a donated photo for the Shrine Wedding Album. Please send a photo to Shrine of St. Therese, 21425 Glacier Highway, Juneau, Alaska 99801
Ready to Explore the Shrine?
Download our campus map to guide your exploration through the sacred sites.
Volunteers, the Backbone of the Shrine!
From the beach stones gathered that make up the walls of the Shrine Chapel to the plants that grace the Marian and Biblical Gardens, all are the work of volunteers giving their time for the greater glory of God. Are you being called to this work?