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DISCOVER THE
TOWN OF INUVIK
A diverse and unique community with
lots to see and do.
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 Basilica of Notre-Dame-des-
Victoires (Our Lady of Victory) in Paris.
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
cupola 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
on 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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