Why pilgrims come
Discover what makes National Shrine of St. Thérèse a place of pilgrimage
A national shrine and retreat landscape on an island north of Juneau, centered on a stone chapel, the spirituality of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and Alaska's coastal wilderness.
Built as a place of spiritual refuge, the shrine places the Little Flower's 'little way' within forest, tidewater, and mountain silence. The causeway, stone chapel, gardens, Stations, and cabins make it suitable for either a prayer stop or a retreat.
The sacred connection
People and objects remembered here
These relationships are part of the destination record, with feast days and catalog qualifications shown where available.
What to notice
Look closely at the place and its story
Shrine Island chapel
Cross the causeway to the stone chapel where the first Mass was celebrated in 1941.
Marian and biblical gardens
Use the outdoor devotional spaces for a slow, weather-aware retreat.
Cabin retreat
Choose lodging by capacity and amenities; the primitive hermitage has no utilities.
Feasts, anniversaries & celebrations
The shrine rents several self-catering cabins and a lodge; capacities and amenities vary, and advance booking is required.
Accommodation details ↗How to read this page
Sources, tradition, and what is verified
No verification date is listed, so current visitor details should be confirmed directly.
This page records the site’s tradition as “Catholic.” That wording describes the nature of the claim and keeps devotional tradition distinct from independently verified history.