St. Jude’s cathedral in Iqaluit just $1.4M short of rebuild money

Iqaluit’s landmark igloo-shaped cathedral was almost wiped off the map after an arson attack in 2005.

Since then, volunteers in the community have been busy raising the $10 million it cost to rebuild.

“Every month we’re raising money towards the church,” says Rebekah Williams, who’s with the fundraising committee. “Raising money to pay for what we need to pay off."

Insurance only covered $1 million of the cost to rebuild.

Now, only about $1.4 million is still owed.

Committee chair, Edward Picco, says they've been working hard collecting donations and holding a lot of fundraisers.

“We hold rummage sales, and craft fairs, and traditional caribou stew and soup and flea markets."

Picco says they hope to be clear of the debt by the end of next year.

“Because you can't consecrate a church when you owe money on it,” Picco says.

Judy Grace Gabuna has been involved since she moved to Iqaluit in 2006 and is also a regular donor.

Gabuna says everyone in the community has been doing their part to help pay down the debt.

“It's touching because you know that even little things that you do are contributing towards the rebuilding of the church.”