Unalaska, AK – A new exhibit celebrating the 200th anniversary of Unalaska's Russian Orthodox Church opens Saturday at the Museum of the Aleutians.

"We, through our exhibit, are trying to tell the story, the history of the church as it developed, as it affected the life of the Unangan people and what it has become today for Unangan people," said Museum Director Zoya Johnson. "In a way for all of us in Unalaska it has become the symbol for our identity, regardless of denomination."

The original Cathedral of the Holy Ascension was built by a manager of the Russian American Company in 1808. It was rebuilt three times and the current structure was finished in 1887. Johnson says that the Church was more than just a religious institution. Missionaries and priests started the first school and created the Oonangan alphabet with the help of translators.

The new exhibit includes 200 year old icons and books, log books of community statistics kept by the mission, and modern artwork inspired by the Cathedral.

The public is invited to a free opening Saturday night at 7 p.m. The exhibit will run through October.