Yumimi Pang
Northern News Services
Published Monday, June 02, 2008

IQALUIT - The concrete foundation for a new iglu-shaped cathedral in Iqaluit is expected to be built this summer, if fundraising continues successfully.

Construction could begin in May or June 2009, and Bishop Andrew Atagotaaluk expects the cathedral to be erected at the end of 2009 or 2010.

According to Atagotaaluk, Iqaluit is a growing community and is in need of having its cathedral rebuilt.

The old St. Jude's Cathedral was destroyed by arson, and made it on to Heritage Canada Foundation's list of worst losses in 2005. Since then, fundraising efforts have been ongoing to raise the $6 million needed to rebuild the iglu-shaped church.

"It's an icon that is greatly identical to the ways we used to live," said Atagotaaluk.

Last fall, thermosyphons were installed to stabilize the foundation for the new cathedral, it will stand atop the site of the old one, which had been built in 1972 using volunteer labour.

"It feels a little bit like being homeless," said Atagotaaluk, who attended the Anglican synod council meeting last week in Iqaluit along with 100 out-of-town delegates.

It was the first time the synod met without the cathedral and had to use the gymnasium at the Nunavut Arctic College's Nunatta Residence. The local congregation has been using the Anglican parish hall for worship since the fire.

Atagotaaluk said he feels many people in the community have limited their use of the church because of the current situation.

"The parish feels the loss of (the cathedral). It's had a great impact," said Atagotaaluk.

The new cathedral will feature public washrooms, conference rooms, offices and a larger facility that will accommodate up to 500 people, compared to 250 in the old cathedral.

But there is still a ways to go. Atagotaaluk estimates there is still about $3.7 million to be raised.

The diocese was formally established in 1933, although Anglican missionaries had been working in the Arctic for numerous decades prior. It celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.

"It's a wonderful occasion of course and we want to celebrate the way that people have worked together to make it possible," said retired Anglican reverend Michael Gardener, who received the Order of Canada for his work.

Gardener has been in the North since arriving in Kimmirut in 1955. In his first week in the North, he had to conduct the Sunday service in Inuktitut, and quickly picked up the language and continues to be fluent.

Gardener said the diocese has much to celebrate including the work of the first bishops and missionaries and the work the Inuit have done to strengthen the church's spiritual foundation in the North through the decades.

One of the ways the diocese has helped Inuit become involved in the clergy is through its seminary in Pangnirtung, the Arthur Turner Training School, of which Gardener was the first principal.

"It has become a backbone for getting the necessary teaching and guidance for those who want to be ordained as well as some training for lay people," said Gardener from his home in Iqaluit.

Gardener said his hope was that he could eventually work himself out of a job and pass the torch on to able clergy. He's been successful since two of his former students have progressed to the top since schooling in Pangnirtung - current Bishop of the Arctic Andrew Atagotaaluk and regional Bishop of Nunavik, Benjamin Arreak.