Clergy and parishioners at St. Jude’s Cathedral, the landmark Arctic church in Iqaluit, Nunavut, are literally picking up the pieces after a fire gutted the igloo-shaped building on the night of Nov. 5.
“The insurance adjusters are going through the building and we need to wait for the engineer to determine whether the structure is sound or not,” said the rector, Dean Ron McLean. The dollar value of the damage has not yet been determined, but the church has received about $20,000 in contributions since news of the fire was broadcast worldwide. “One gentleman gave $2,500. Other people – in the U.S., Australia, France – have come forward, promising their prayers and financial support. It indicates to me the care and concern, locally and nationwide,” Dean McLean said.
He added that the RCMP and the fire marshal in Iqaluit are conducting an arson investigation. As of late November, no arrests had been made.
The cathedral congregation is worshipping in the nearby parish hall, which was not damaged in the fire, Dean McLean said.