The cathedral is the seat of the Diocese of The Arctic, which covers the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Nunavik region of Northern Quebec.

[1] The original St. Jude's Cathedral had been designed by Ronald Thom in 1970 and built in 1972 by local volunteers.

It was well known for its decorations, most the product of Inuit craftsmanship; these included wall hangings, woven collection baskets, a cross made of narwhal tusks, and a carved soapstone baptismal font dedicated by Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, during a visit to Iqaluit.

[citation needed] The first St. Jude's Cathedral was demolished in June 2006 after an arson fire in November 2005 destroyed much of the structure.

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