The newly constructed cathedral in Iqaluit replaces one that burned down in 2006.
Local Anglicans have organized a benefit piano recital in Iqaluit featuring world-renowned Ottawa pianist Angela Hewitt, an event intended to raise funds for the newly consecrated St. Jude’s Anglican Cathedral.
The igloo-shaped cathedral was originally built in the capital of Nunavut in 1972, but was demolished following a large fire that consumed the church in November 2006.
Members of Christ Church Cathedral in Centretown spearheaded the effort to help raise funds so the northern church could be reconstructed on an even bigger scale, says Frances Macdonnell, a former organist and choir director at Christ Church.
Rebuilding the cathedral, which is the largest enclosed space in the eastern Arctic, was a painstaking task, Macdonnell says. She explained that all building materials had to be flown or shipped in.
The congregation at Christ Church has played a major role in the renovation of St. Jude’s. Since Ottawa is one of the few cities with a direct flight to Iqaluit, the two churches have formed a strong connection over the years, according to Garth Hampson, one of the main fundraisers for the renovation.
Hampson, a former staff sergeant with the RCMP, says his postings in the north gave him a greater appreciation for Inuit life.
“I’m amazed at how they can handle everything and live off the land,” Hampson says. “This was just my way of giving back, because they’re very close to their faith up there.”
After the 2006 fire, the members of Christ Church Cathedral organized the national fundraising effort to rebuild St. Jude’s.
“That cathedral carried a lot of dreams of Canada, so people from all across Canada have been helping to raise money,” Macdonnell says.
The total cost of rebuilding the church was approximately $9.3 million, with more than $6 million raised through donations and fundraising, says Edward Picco, the chairman of fundraising at the St. Jude’s parish.
The benefit piano recital on June 7 is going to be a major post-construction fundraising event for the church, according to Macdonnell.
Hewitt, who learned to play piano at Christ Church, where her father was an organist for 50 years, will take a break from her international tour to perform at the Iqaluit cathedral, Hampson says.
Hewitt said in an email that she was very happy to be going to Iqaluit to perform the benefit recital.
“It has always been a dream to visit the far north of Canada, and this seemed the perfect occasion,” Hewitt said.
She said she heard about St. Jude’s and the rebuilding through Macdonnell and Hampson.
“(Hewitt) was very interested, and so I said off the top of my head, ‘You know after it’s rebuilt, you should go up there and play a concert,’” Macdonnell recalls.
“It is a magnificent venue for this type of event and her volunteering her time to support the fundraising for St. Jude’s is tremendous,” Picco said via email.
Hewitt explained that music is a great way of communicating with people, and she is happy to help out the community in this way.
Hewitt will perform on a Kawai piano, which was donated to St. Jude’s by an anonymous donor from Edmonton after the cathedral’s original organ was destroyed in the fire.
People will be coming from all over the world to see Hewitt play at Iqaluit, Hampson says. In a church that holds 450 people, he said he expects a standing room-only event.
“We won’t know until after the concert how much money has actually been raised, but it will be a substantial amount, thousands and thousands of dollars,” Macdonnell says.