Reviews of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church (Tourist Attraction)

Dilek I

Our Lady of Victory Church was designed to resemble a large igloo, a temporary Inuit hunting shelter made of blocks of snow. It’s located nearly 125 miles north of the Arctic Circle in Inuvik, one of Canada's most northerly towns. Brother Maurice Larocque, the church’s architect, was a Catholic missionary with a background in carpentry. He had no formal architectural training. Larocque sketched his plans on two pieces of plywood that can now be seen on a set of stairs inside the church. His blueprints for the igloo-shaped structure were so confusing, construction of the church was finished without a proper permit because the federal government couldn’t understand them. Local volunteers spent two years building the church, which opened in 1960. The wood for the church was floated nearly 1,200 miles down the Mackenzie River, as there are few trees in the Arctic area. The building itself had to be constructed to accommodate the shifting permafrost that swells beneath the ground. It’s one of the reasons the church is shaped like an igloo. Its concrete basement and the intricate wooden arches supporting the domed structure help hold its weight atop the sometimes unreliable ground. The church is the only major building in Inuvik that doesn’t rest upon or rely on special adfreeze piles.

Arnaud Guanco

Fr. Mick is awesome and his sermons are straight to the point. Brief and concise. The interior of the church is also magnificent .!

Dylan Soo

Amazing architecture. This is one of only three churches that are shaped liked igloos.

GRL Enterprise

This is a must see while in Inuvik. I’d encourage any traveller to stop by the visitor information site and find out when the church is doing their tours. The “Igloo Church” is one of the must see spots that should be on every tourists list of things to do.

Humberto Sanchez

(Translated) Magnificent architectural work of the town. Very well preserved both outside and inside. It is worth knowing inside. (Original) Magnífica obra arquitectónica del poblado. Muy bien conservado tanto por fuera como por dentro. Vale la pena conocerlo en su interior.

Stephen Lee

One of the icons of the Town. Nice congregation.

madipilli jagadish

Amazing

David Malcolm

The Our Lady Of Victory Catholic Church is one of Canada's national landmarks. Known as the Igloo Church, it is a must-see for any visitor to Inuvik NWT.

Len Ramsey

Great tour!!

Theresa L

Go for the tour, it's deeply informative.

Mirna Querida

It is a nice and unique church.

Oumarou Hamadou

(Translated) Very chic ???????????????? (Original) Très chic ????????????????

Patricia F

Beauty

Mary Beckett

A local treasure!

{باسم علي BASEM ALI}

Is there an email? To be able to communicate with the church is a very important thing.

Amy Sciezer

An Inuvik must see. It's a beautiful building.

Amie Charlie

Such a beautiful and iconic landmark of Inuvik. This church is very unique, as the structure resembles an igloo. Our Lady of Victory (aka "Igloo Church") possesses amazing acoustics that have attracted artists from around the world to perform at this venue. If you're wanting some more information on the history, architecture, and art found within the church, be sure to check out one of the tours throughout the week. The church has tours every second day of the week, their schedule is as follows: Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 6:30 pm and after church on Sunday at around noon. You won't want to miss out on seeing this beautiful building firsthand. A must-see when visiting Inuvik.

Sandra Malcolm

This is the most amazing Church I've been to. From its conception to its history of being built to the concerts performed therein to the current priest, Father Mick, to its parishioners. Wonderful, beautiful!

jenns in canada

(Translated) Traditional in Inuvik impossible not to see it or pass by (Original) Tradicional en inuvik imposible no verla o pasar por ahí

Timtwoface (Timtwoface)

What a lovely and unique design for a church in this wonderful little town of Inuvik! It's unfortunate I didn't have a chance to see the inside while here in November.

Dean Britton

Where else so far north can you celibrate the divine liturgy and receive the Body Blood Soul and Divinity of Jesus?

K W

Absolutely beautiful

Maureen M Mcdonough

Greatest little village, and was humbled visiting the Igloo Church....just beautiful and unique. Must ser if you're in Inuvik!

Blair Schwartz

Very cool especially when lit up at night

G Lassner

One of the most amazing and unique churches I have ever visited. The nuns there are very friendly

robert keel

been in there a couple off times just too have a look around its the same as a big foot ball from top too bottom most off it is in the ground the same shape because off the permonfrost