New St. Jude’s spire set to inspire

The new St. Jude’s Anglican Cathedral in Iqaluit,  Nunavut, is going to get its spire soon.

The diocese of the Arctic’s iconic church is slowly being rebuilt after it was destroyed by arson in November 2005. About $2 million is still needed to complete the new $6.5 million cathedral, known as the “igloo” church for its distinctive dome-and-spire shape. “The costs of building in the north is twice that of southern Canada,” said the diocese on its website. “…The new foundations have been laid, but we definitely need your help.”

The diocese plans to hold the first service at the cathedral this Christmas.

The four-ton spire that will be placed on top of the igloo church is to be shipped by barge from Montreal in mid-June. Built by Triodetic Lt. of Arnprior, Ont., the spire was “test assembled” at the company’s plant on May 31.

For more information about the restoration project, contact the diocese of the Arctic via email at [email protected] or by mail at P.O. Box 190, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2N2, and by phone at (867)873-5432.