Transcribed by Jeff Fenske from Alaska: Big America on the History Channel

Narrator: In 1964, one of the most devastating earthquakes ever recorded struck Anchorage….

Narrator: Here at All Saints Episcopal Church [showing footage of the church in downtown Anchorage], the Reverend Norman Elliott was preparing his service.

Norman Elliott: On every Friday at Lent, it was the custom, here, to have the service of the stations of the cross, and we would begin at 5:15.

Narrator: Back in Anchorage, the Reverend Elliott was reciting a prophetic Biblical verse.

Norman Elliott: “And behold the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earth shook and the rocks were split“ [Mt. 27:51]. And the earth quaked [he said, looking into the interviewer’s eye]

Narrator: At that moment, 5:36 pm, the largest earthquake in North America was unleashed on Anchorage, Alaska.