Aniak - Saint Theresa Catholic Church
The village of Aniak was founded around 1910 as a trading post for mining camps developing along the Kuskokwim River but was once visited earlier in the 18th century by Russian explorers.
Aniak is a Central Yup'ik Eskimo village on the south bank of the Kuskokwim River in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Some Roman Catholic parishioners of Aniak have their roots in the Holy Cross and Paimiut Missions. Baptisms were administered at Aniak long before a permanent mission was established. The year 1939 marks the beginning of an official Catholic presence at Aniak when Fr. Francis Menager, S.J., established a church in the village.
In 1968, Bishop Francis Gleeson, S.J., planned a construction crew for the purpose of building a new church. The crew was composed of Mr. Tom Karlin, Mr. James Kolb and Brother John Huck, S.J. The crew, whose building efforts included a church at Aniak, lasted well into the latter part of the 20th century
For many years, Saint Theresa parish was staffed by Jesuits stationed at Bethel and later, at McGrath, Kalskag or Holy Cross. The late Andrew D'Arco, a Diocesan Priest and former Jesuit Volunteer, was the first constant occupant at the Aniak parish. He served the Church at Aniak from 1984 until 1992 when he died an untimely death related to a construction accident. Fr. William Cardy, O.F.M., replaced Fr. D'Arco as pastor, and remained there as Resident Priest until July, 2000 when he was transferred to the parish at Delta Junction.