About Our Lady of the Snows · Girdwood, Alaska
Our Lady of the Snows is a Catholic mission chapel serving the small mountain community of Girdwood, Alaska, within walking distance of the Hotel Alyeska. Operated as a mission of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Anchorage, it sits in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Anchorage–Juneau and shares its building with The Meadows Community Center, a 2,900-square-foot banquet hall. The current chapel opened its doors on Christmas Eve 2005, though the Girdwood Catholic congregation has been active since 1951, ministering to year-round residents, weekenders, and visitors drawn to the surrounding Chugach Mountains and Moose Meadows.
- Established
- 1951
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Snows (Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of Santa Maria Maggiore)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Anchorage–Juneau (Metropolitan Archdiocese of Anchorage–Juneau)
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Snows offers something rare: a small, intimate Catholic mission nestled between the mountains and Moose Meadows in Girdwood, with a Sunday evening Mass that fits the rhythm of a ski-town community. Weekday Eucharistic Adoration four days a week and Lenten Stations of the Cross give regulars rich opportunities for prayer, while the chapel and adjoining Meadows Community Center are designed to be shared — hosting weddings, receptions, retreats, and nonprofit gatherings that draw the wider community together. For visitors and locals alike, OLOS is a place where worship, hospitality, and the natural beauty of Alaska meet.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Snows
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sundays — upon request
Adoration times
- Monday 9:00–10:00 AM
- Tuesday 6:30–7:30 PM
- Wednesday 9:00–10:00 AM
- Thursday 6:30–7:30 PM
Welcome & Mission
Our Lady of the Snows describes its mission as serving the spiritual and communal needs of the Girdwood community and those who visit. The mission has been striving since 1951 to 'Love God, Love Others, and Change the World,' and the congregation includes people of a variety of denominational backgrounds — everyone is welcome. Sunday Mass is celebrated at 6:00 PM, and the chapel is regularly used by visitors and weekend residents who come to the Girdwood valley to ski, hike, and renew their spirits.
- Mission statement: to serve the spiritual and communal needs of the Girdwood community and visitors.
- Congregation active in Girdwood since 1951.
- Sunday Mass at 6:00 PM.
- Everyone is welcome — Catholic mission with an inter-denominational community.
History of the Girdwood Catholic Community
The Catholic presence in Girdwood dates back to 1951. For more than five decades the community gathered in more modest quarters before the present Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows opened its doors on Christmas Eve 2005. The new building was intentionally designed to serve both worship and community life, with the Meadows Community Center on the lower level offering space for weddings, receptions, and nonprofit meetings.
- Catholic community established in Girdwood in 1951.
- Current chapel opened Christmas Eve 2005.
- Built to combine worship with a community center for broader use.
The Chapel Building
The Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows is situated in the Girdwood valley with spectacular views of the local mountains and Moose Meadows, and is within walking distance of the Hotel Alyeska. The 11 forward-facing pews seat 110 people, and four additional pews at the front of the chapel face the altar at a right angle, seating another 28. French doors between the chapel and the narthex may be opened during services to provide seating for 50 more. A bride's room is located off the narthex, available to those renting the chapel for a wedding.
- 11 forward-facing pews — 110 seats
- 4 right-angle pews at front — 28 seats
- French doors to narthex — up to 50 additional seats
- Bride's room off the narthex
- Lift to lower-level Meadows Community Center for accessibility
The Meadows Community Center
The Meadows Community Center occupies the lower level of the building and is available for wedding receptions and rehearsal dinners, retreats, and meetings or classes of nonprofit groups. It is 2,900 square feet and looks out onto Moose Meadows. The space includes banquet chairs, rectangular tables, wireless internet, a spacious kitchen (range with double ovens, dishwasher, commercial refrigerator, double sink, deep sink, ample counter space, and a pass-through service window for buffets), and French doors opening onto a large patio with log benches.
- 2,900 square feet overlooking Moose Meadows
- Wireless internet, banquet chairs and rectangular tables provided
- Full kitchen with double ovens, dishwasher, commercial refrigerator, pass-through service window
- Large patio with log benches
Lenten Devotions
During the Lenten season, the chapel hosts the Stations of the Cross each Friday evening.
- Stations of the Cross — Fridays during Lent, 6:00–8:00 PM
Weddings & Event Rentals
The chapel is available to all denominations for spiritual and religious services and weddings. The Meadows Community Center on the lower level is available for wedding receptions and rehearsal dinners, retreats, and meetings or classes of nonprofit groups. Inquiries can be directed to [email protected].
- Chapel rental for weddings (all denominations)
- Reception and rehearsal-dinner rentals in The Meadows Community Center
- Retreat and nonprofit-meeting space available
- Booking: [email protected]
Parish Identity & Governance
Our Lady of the Snows is a parish mission of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Anchorage, operating within the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Anchorage–Juneau. Because OLOS legally operates as a mission under SEAS, donations and event fees are processed through the Corporation of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, though 100% of designated donations go to OLOS.
- Jurisdiction: Archdiocese of Anchorage–Juneau
- Parent parish: Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Anchorage
- Online donations processed through SEAS with 100% directed to OLOS
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Robert Whitney2019–2020
Served as Parochial Vicar of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Anchorage, with responsibility also for the Our Lady of the Snows mission in Girdwood. Currently a priest of the Archdiocese of Anchorage–Juneau and Alaska State Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus.