Fort Ross Chapel

 

From the early 1600’s on, many European nations looked to “New World” as a potential source of wealth. The Empire of Russia began it’s colonization efforts in the 1741when Vitus Bering sighted the mainland of Alaska and claimed it for Russia. The first permanent Russian settlement in North America was founded on Kodiak Island in 1784. n 1808, the Russian-American Company established it’s headquarters, named New Archangel, on Sitka Island and looked to expand south. In 1812, Fort Ross was originally established to provide food for the Russian-American Company settlement in New Archangel and farming efforts never met demand.

Located in the stockade a small Russian Orthodox Chapel was built in the 1820’s to serve the spiritual needs of the Russian settlers and the native Kashaya Pomo, some of whom converted to Orthodoxy. For 30 years, the outpost remained under the control of the Russian American Company. In 1841, the Company decided to sell Fort Ross. The poor farming and the declining sea otter population made the Fort an economic drain on the Company. The Fort was sold to Captain John Sutter who sent John Bidwell to remove several buildings and moveable goods to his fort in the Sacramento Valley. On January 1, 1842, the Russian-American flag was lowered at Fort Ross and the remaining 100 Russian settlers set sail from Bodega Bay for Sitka.

Eventually, the Fort was sold to George W. Call in 1873 who established the 8,000 acre Call Ranch and ran a successful ranch and lumber business. Many of the Fort’s buildings were put to use, one as a hotel and saloon and another as a dance hall. The chapel was used for weddings and as a barn. In 1903, George Call sold 2.5 acres including the Fort to the California State Landmarks Commission. The Fort was deeded to the state in March of 1906. On April 18, 1906, the earthquake damaged the fort and destroyed the Chapel. Between 1916 and 1918, the Chapel was rebuilt. In 1925, the Chapel began to be used for Orthodox religious services for the first time since 1841 and on September 23, 1928 the Chapel was dedicated by the Historic Landmarks Committee of the Native Sons of the Golden West. The plaque reads:

“This Chapel was part of a settlement founded by the Russians in 1812 and known as Fort Ross. The Fort was in the form of a quadrangle, about 300 feet square, inclosed by a redwood wall, with two block-houses at opposite corners. Fort Ross contained fifty-nine buildings, nine of which, including this Chapel, were within the inclosure. The Russians withdrew in 1841, selling their improvements and stock to John A. Sutter of Sutter’s Fort. Property acquired by the State of California in 1906. Tablet placed by Historic Landmarks Committee, Native Sons of The Golden West, 1928”

The Chapel was granted National Historic Landmark status on October 8, 1969. On October 5, 1970, the Chapel was completely destroyed by an accidental fire.  It was taken off the list of National Historic Landmarks due to its destruction on December 7, 1971 and was reconstructed in 1973. The Calls owned and lived at the remainder of their ranch until 1973. The Chapel is still used for Orthodox services twice a year on July 4 and Memorial Day and is known as Holy Trinity Chapel.