It will be the northernmost in Canada
says construction project manager Jason Harrison, who resides in Ontario. It will be a hub for the congregation and for those interested in learning more about the Bible and the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The approximately 3,000 square foot facility, which members of the congregation call the Kingdom Hall
is located downtown, near the beach overlooking Frobisher Bay.
Two apartments are also being built on the upper floor and will be used to house members of the congregation, according to Jason Harrison. Construction was supposed to take place in 2020, but he explains that the pandemic delayed the initial plan.
It’s the fruit of long hours of behind-the-scenes planning
, he said. Jason Harrison estimates between 50 and 60 people who volunteered to build the building. Some have traveled across the country to take part in the construction. We have two plumbers: one came from British Columbia and the other from Nova Scotia
he mentions.
The congregation shipped about 12 shipping containers filled with building materials to erect their place of worship.
Photo: Jehovah’s Witnesses
According to Jason Harrison, Iqaluit has a community of Jehovah’s Witnesses for over 12 years. They always rented a [espace]whether a community center or a school gymnasium, to gather
, he said. Currently, the rallies are being held at Nanook School in Apex, near Iqaluit.
He says the lack of a place of worship has been a challenge so far, as members are used to meeting three to four times a week.
Jason McGregor is a member of the Iqaluit congregation, where he has resided with his family for 13 years. “The local community has about 20 members who preach in several places in the North,” he explains. Over the years, there has been a lot of interest from Iqaluit and other communities.
He adds that the Iqaluit congregation is trying to recruit new members outside the capital. Much is done by telephone in communities
he said.
Jason McGregor acknowledges that many people aren’t interested in joining the congregation, but says he rarely receives negative feedback.
Iqaluit has Baptist, Pentecostal and Catholic churches, as well as a mosque. Elsewhere in the Far North, Whitehorse and Yellowknife each have a place of worship for Jehovah’s Witnesses.
With information from Jody Ningeocheak
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