Koyukuk - Saint Patrick Catholic Church
Koyukuk, also known as Koyukuk Station, is an Athapaskan village located at the confluence of the Yukon and Koyukuk rivers, 16 miles northeast of Nulato.
Koyukuk began as a small community in 1898 but that part of its early life was brief though it is recorded that Catholic baptisms took place around that time. Population increase, probably related to gold mining in the region, resumed around 1933 when the post office was reopened. Koyukuk, under the patronage of Saint Patrick, never had a resident priest. Pioneer Jesuits Crispino Rossi and Jules Jetté were the first of the Catholic clergy to visit Koyukuk in the late 1890's. Up until 1948, Koyukuk Catholics were served by priests from Nulato. Since then, visiting priests came at intervals to conduct liturgies.
During 1987 and 1988 the town's old generator building was converted into the new Saint Patrick's church. It replaced an earlier church that had been built between 1958 and 1962.
Sisters in residence were very much part of Saint Patrick's history. One of these was Sister Margaret Usuka, S.N.D. de N., who worked in Koyukuk from 1984 until 1989.
Franciscan Friars, who were stationed at Galena, began incorporating Koyukuk on their mission circuit from 1986 until 1987. Franciscan Brothers also were able to serve. One was Brother Robert Ruzicka, 0.F.M., who came there in the late 1980's.