You can see an unusual building walking through Iqaluit – a large white Igloo with a high tower. It is not immediately clear what can be in such an outlandish structure. This is the current church, St. Jude's Cathedral.

The first Igloo-shaped temple with a pointed spire was built on this site in 1972. The building attracted both believers and tourists: everyone was interested to see the unusual structure and how it looks both outside and inside.

And this unconventional and attractive project was designed by the architect Ronald Thom. Local volunteers worked on its implementation. Only the engineers and artisans were professionals, while the rest of the staff were residents of Iqaluit who wanted to build a beautiful and modern temple in their city.

The result is a great combination of futuristic architecture and traditional interior design. Inside, the decoration of the temple was stunning. The altar was carved from soapstone and dedicated to Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, during her visit to Iqaluit. All the walls were decorated with expensive carpets. And figures carved from narwhal tusks in the style of Eskimo masters stood on special plinths. National wicker baskets were used for storing useful items. It was almost a museum where you could get acquainted with the traditions of folk art.

However, some people did not like having such a church in the city. In 2005, someone set fire to the building. As a result, more than 50% of the building was destroyed. Residents and patrons were collecting the necessary amount for 7 years. They needed to raise $ 6 million to restore this unusual and beloved place by locals. In parallel, restoration work was carried out. Their goal was to recreate the shape of the needle temple as accurately as possible. This popular project was successfully completed. The cathedral received its first guests on June 3, 2012.