About Our Lady of Guadalupe · Anchorage, Alaska
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a Roman Catholic cathedral located at 3900 Wisconsin Street in west Anchorage, Alaska, and is the seat (cathedral) of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Anchorage–Juneau, with the Co-Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Juneau sharing that status. Founded in 1970 as a parish serving the Turnagain/west Anchorage area, it was elevated to co-cathedral in 2014 alongside the historic Holy Family Cathedral, and in 2020 was designated the cathedral of the new combined Archdiocese of Anchorage–Juneau. The parish is one of the most ethnically diverse Catholic communities in Alaska, with large Hispanic, Filipino, Samoan, Alaska Native, Peruvian, Mexican, Colombian and Anglo communities, and is staffed by the Vincentian Fathers (Congregation of the Mission). Its present Spanish Mission Revival church was designed by Architects Alaska and dedicated on December 12, 2005, the feast of its patroness, Our Lady of Guadalupe.
- Established
- 1970
- Patron
- Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Rector
- Rev. David Nations, C.M.
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of Anchorage–Juneau
Why belong here
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a strikingly multicultural Catholic community — one of the most ethnically diverse parishes in Alaska, with strong Hispanic, Filipino, Samoan, Alaska Native, Peruvian and Anglo communities worshipping side by side — so newcomers of any background tend to find a home here quickly. Bilingual (English and Spanish) daily Mass, weekend Masses in both languages (with two Sunday liturges live-streamed), monthly bilingual Eucharistic Adoration, and a full OCIA (formerly RCIA) program make it accessible to seekers and cradle Catholics alike, while outreach through the Anchorage St. Vincent de Paul Society, food and rental assistance, and Vincentian mission work reflects a deep commitment to the poor. As the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Anchorage–Juneau, it also offers a tangible connection to the universal Church, with the actual chair used by Pope St. John Paul II in 1981 serving as the archbishop's cathedra.
Mass times at Our Lady of Guadalupe
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM (English)
- Sundays 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM (Spanish)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- First Friday of each month, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (bilingual)
Parish History
Founded in 1970 by Monsignor John A. Lunney for the growing Catholic population of west Anchorage, Our Lady of Guadalupe began humbly — meeting at the Turnagain Methodist Church and Turnagain Elementary School for its first five years. In 1976 the parish built its first permanent home, the multipurpose building now known as the Lunney Center. The present Spanish Mission Revival church was built next to it and dedicated on December 12, 2005, after decades of growth under successive pastors and the fundraising work of the One More Time thrift store. The parish was elevated to co-cathedral in 2014 and made the cathedral of the new Archdiocese of Anchorage–Juneau in 2020.
- 1970 – Parish founded; first Mass Oct 11, 1970 at Turnagain Methodist Church
- 1976 – Original multipurpose building (now Lunney Center) dedicated Dec 12
- 1994 – Msgr. Lunney retires; Fr. Michael Warfel arrives; Hispanic community formally merges into the parish
- 2003 – Groundbreaking for the new church (September)
- 2005 – New church inaugurated December 12, 2005 (feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe)
- 2014 – Elevated to co-cathedral of the Archdiocese of Anchorage on December 12
- 2020 – Designated cathedral of the new Metropolitan Archdiocese of Anchorage–Juneau (May 19, liturgical inauguration September 17)
Architecture & Cathedral Treasures
Designed by Architects Alaska in the Spanish Mission Revival style, the present church was completed in 2005 and is locally admired for its warm southwestern architecture, two bell towers, fine acoustics, and notable interior artwork. The building is the largest Catholic church in Alaska and the principal seat (cathedra) of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Anchorage–Juneau.
- Architect: Architects Alaska (Anchorage)
- Style: Spanish Mission Revival (also described as 'southwestern')
- Two bell towers
- Cathedra (bishop's chair): the actual chair used by Pope St. John Paul II in Anchorage in 1981
- Metropolitan cross: carved from a linden tree, created for the 2014 co-cathedral elevation
- Holy chalice presented for use at the cathedral
- Self-guided tour of signs, symbols and treasures available via the parish website
OCIA – Becoming Catholic
The parish runs a year-long OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, formerly RCIA) program in both English and Spanish for adults 18+ seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church. The process includes study, faith-sharing, faith formation, and the liturgical rites of the RCIA, and is open to unbaptized adults, those baptized with a non-Trinitarian formula, baptized Catholics who have not yet received First Communion or Confirmation, and Christians from other traditions seeking full communion with Rome.
- Year-long communal process of study, exploration, faith-sharing and formation
- Specific liturgical rites for seekers and inquirers
- Offered in English and Spanish
- Open to adults 18+ in any of the canonical categories of need
- Contact: Vince Fennimore — [email protected] or 907-242-1391
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a year-round Faith Formation program for children and youth, with a published Faith Formation Calendar available on the parish website. Current pastor Fr. David Nations has expressed a vision for formation that also involves parents in their own faith growth alongside their children. The parish also prepares children and teens for the sacraments of First Communion, Confirmation, and others through age-appropriate catechesis.
- Year-round Faith Formation program for children and youth
- Parent formation component
- Preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
- Parish Faith Formation Calendar (60-day view) available on olgak.org
Sacraments
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptism, Marriage and Quinceañera each require preparation, with the parish asking for 100 days' notice for weddings. The OCIA process serves adults seeking Baptism, Confirmation, and/or First Communion. Confession is available weekly in both English and Spanish, and the Anointing of the Sick can be arranged by contacting the parish office.
- Baptism – preparation required; arranged through the parish office
- First Communion & Confirmation – through Faith Formation / OCIA
- Marriage (Wedding) – preparation; 100-day notice recommended
- Quinceañera – preparation and celebration available
- Anointing of the Sick – by appointment through the parish office
- Reconciliation (Confession) – Sat 4:30–5:15 PM, Sun 10:30–11:15 AM (Spanish), or by appointment
- OCIA – year-round process for adult initiation
Outreach & Charity
Staffed by the Vincentian Fathers (Congregation of the Mission, founded by St. Vincent de Paul), the parish takes seriously the Vincentian motto 'He sent me to bring Good News to the poor.' Outreach is centered on partnership with the Anchorage Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which provides short-term rent, utility, food and gas assistance to people of any faith in the Anchorage area, funded in part by collections taken up at the cathedral. The parish is also designated as one of only 8–10 international Vincentian missions worldwide.
- Anchorage Society of St. Vincent de Paul (rent, utilities, food and gas assistance)
- Vincentian Marian Youth (international youth group)
- Communal wedding celebration / marriage convalidation ministry
- Collection plate taken up multiple times a year for SVdP
- Other Catholic parishes in Anchorage (e.g., St. Patrick's) and ecumenical partners also support local rent/utility assistance
Staff & Clergy
The cathedral is led by a team of Vincentian Fathers and lay staff, with Archbishop Andrew E. Bellisario, C.M. as Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Anchorage–Juneau. The pastor/rector is Fr. David Nations, C.M., with Fr. Toshio Sato, C.M. serving as Parochial Vicar. Parish staff include an Office Manager, a Business Manager/Rentals coordinator, and other ministry and volunteer leaders.
- Fr. David Nations, C.M. — Pastor / Rector (cell 314-703-6987)
- Fr. Toshio Sato, C.M. — Parochial Vicar (cell 501-420-4405)
- Jim Lebiedz — Deacon / staff (cell 907-240-3304)
- Marra Salazar — Office Manager (ext. 2)
- John Fleming — Business Manager / Rentals (ext. 3)
- Vince Fennimore — OCIA Coordinator ([email protected], 907-242-1391)
- Archbishop Andrew E. Bellisario, C.M. — Metropolitan Archbishop of Anchorage–Juneau
Diocese & Cathedral Status
Our Lady of Guadalupe is the cathedral (mother church and seat of the archbishop) of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Anchorage–Juneau, a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church that covers a vast swath of Alaska. The archdiocese was erected by Pope Francis on May 19, 2020, from the merger of the former Archdiocese of Anchorage and the Diocese of Juneau; the Co-Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Juneau shares cathedral status. From 2014 to 2020 Our Lady of Guadalupe served as co-cathedral alongside the historic Holy Family Cathedral (now Holy Family 'historic cathedral') in downtown Anchorage.
- Archdiocese: Metropolitan Archdiocese of Anchorage–Juneau
- Archbishop: Andrew E. Bellisario, C.M.
- Co-Cathedral: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Juneau
- Former co-cathedral: Holy Family Cathedral (downtown Anchorage) — now the 'historic cathedral'
- Elevated to co-cathedral: December 12, 2014
- Designated cathedral of the new archdiocese: May 19, 2020
Visit, Connect & Stay Informed
Visitors and parishioners are warmly welcomed to Mass, the monthly bilingual Adoration, parish events, and the self-guided tour of the cathedral's signs, symbols and treasures. The parish publishes a weekly bulletin (English and Spanish), maintains an active online calendar, and offers a myParish App for iOS and Android for event notifications, daily readings, prayer reminders and more.
- Weekly bulletin (English & Spanish) — archive on olgak.org
- Parish calendar (Big Events, Faith Formation, Mass Intentions, Ministries, Weddings/Baptisms/Quinceñeras)
- myParish App for iOS/Android (notifications, calendar, daily readings, prayers)
- Parish registration form (English and Spanish) — submit online, by email, in the collection basket, or at the office
- Office hours: Mon 12–2 PM, Tue–Fri 8 AM–2 PM, Wed also 6–8 PM; closed Sat/Sun
- Phone: (907) 248-2000 — email: [email protected]
- Address: 3900 Wisconsin St., Anchorage, AK 99517
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor John A. Lunney1970–1994
Founding pastor; established the parish in 1970 and served for 24 years. The original 1976 multipurpose building is named the 'Lunney Center' in his honor. Retired in 1994.
- Fr. Michael Warfel1994–c.2001
Succeeded Msgr. Lunney in 1994. Under his leadership the existing English-speaking parish and the Hispanic Catholic community (previously led by Fr. James Murphy) merged into one bilingual parish. Oversaw the lead-up to building a permanent church.
- Fr. James Murphypre-1994
Led the Hispanic Catholic Community at the parish and celebrated Spanish Mass in the parish center before the communities were formally merged under Fr. Warfel.
- Fr. Vincent Blanco (C.M.)2001–c.2017
Vincentian priest from the Philippines who had served the parish in various capacities since 2001; named pastor. Led the parish through the 2005 dedication of the new church and the 2014 elevation to co-cathedral. Had served the diverse parish for 14 years by the time of the co-cathedral elevation.
- Fr. Andrew Bellisario, C.M. (later Bishop/Bishop-designate)c.2017–2019
Vincentian predecessor of Fr. Grodecki; was chosen in fall 2018 to be Bishop of Juneau, leaving the pastor post vacant from October 2018.
- Fr. Hank (Henry) Grodecki, C.M.c.2019–c.2022
Vincentian priest assigned directly from Vincentian headquarters in Rome; previously taught theology at St. Thomas Seminary. Served as pastor with a three-man Vincentian mission team. Spent time in missions in Bolivia and other Vincentian international postings.
- Rev. David Nations, C.M.c.2023–present
Current pastor/rector. Multi-lingual Vincentian (fluent in Spanish, learning Tagalog) reassigned in 2023 from pastor of Sacred Heart, Wasilla to the cathedral. Has served the Latino community for over 30 years and previously ministered in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, Honduras and Peru.
- Rev. Toshio Sato, C.M.c.2023–present
Current Parochial Vicar at the cathedral; Vincentian.
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