Anglicans begin campaign to rebuild Iqaluit cathedral

The Anglican Diocese of the Arctic is about to launch an appeal to raise the $3 million needed to rebuild St. Jude's Cathedral in Iqaluit.

"This is a bigger task than the whole Diocese of the Arctic can do, so we're reaching out all across Canada, to other Anglican churches, to individuals, to corporations, and we're reaching out to foundations," said Doug LIttle, the newly hired fundraiser.

The cathedral, shaped like an igloo, was damaged beyond repair by a fire in November.

Little hopes to raise up to $1.5 million by the end of July to buy building materials and get them transported to Iqaluit by ship this summer.

He said the plan is to raise the rest of the funds next winter.

Members of the church are fundraising to replace the contents, like pews and hymn books.

It will cost about $30,000 to replace the piano alone, said church member Methusalah Kunuk.

The new cathedral will be built on the same location as the old one.

The building, intended to be finished in 2007, will also be shaped like an igloo.