Most
people would find it difficult to tell you
what Inuvik has in common with Paris, France,
but the answer greets every visitor to our
northern city and is probably one of the first
things they notice. It is the Igloo Church
which bears the same official name as the famous
Notre Dame cathedral in Paris (Our Lady of
Victory).
Our
Lady of Victory Church is a major landmark
of Inuvik. Built by volunteer labour, this
church took two years to build from start to
completion. The diameter of the building is
75 feet. The cross is 9 feet high and is 68
feet above ground. The cupola on which the
cross stands is 20 feet in diameter. Visitors
may ascend into the copula and see the unique
construction methods used in the building of
the Igloo Church. The total cost of construction
in 1958 was $ 70,000 - less than $ 30 per square
foot. The ceremony of blessing the church was
performed by Bishop Piche and took place in
August 5, 1960. The title of Our Lady of Victory
is one of the many titles given to Mary, the
mother of Jesus.
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