The Glacier Priest

Discover the true story of the Jesuit priest, explorer, geologist, and photographer who brought the wilds of Alaska—and his Catholic faith—to the American public.

In The Glacier Priest, Josh McMullen reveals the captivating life and legacy of Father Bernard R. Hubbard, a devout priest and a national celebrity, a rugged outdoorsman and a passionate promoter. From the late 1920s through the 1950s, the famous Glacier Priest and his dogs connected millions of Americans with the pioneering spirit of Alaska and his vision of the wilderness as the salvation of the nation’s soul. From celebrating Mass in the shadow of mighty Mount Katmai to mushing a dog sled team 1600 miles to five missionary bases, Hubbard’s stories of frontier adventure captured the hearts of Americans and paved the way toward Alaskan statehood and a greater integration of Catholics into American society.

The Glacier Priest seamlessly blends Father Hubbard’s rollicking adventures, the tensions underlying his larger-than-life persona, and the fascinating context that cements his legacy within American history.