top of page
Clarence Street
Between King Street and Dundas Street.
Victoria Hall
Located at 394 or 396 Clarence St.
A Shorty History
Victoria Hall received its name in 1878, when Y.M.C.A. renovated the building and renamed it. The building was originally the New Methodist Church known as the 'New Connection Church' circa 1852 or 1856.
Throughout the years this building has housed many different organizations and businesses. The organization that operated out of this building longer than any others, was the Salvation Army, from 1897-1970. Since the 1970s, a variety of different retail shops and services have operated out of this building such as O’ Donnell Morrison Computer Services (1995-2000) and Sun Seekers (2010-present).
- William W Judd, Early naturalists and natural history societies of London, Ontario, (London, Ontario: Phelps Publishing Company, 1979): 9.
London Public Library
The Library has an online collection of digitized images. The website pulled in here shows an image and description of the Victoria Hall building.
“They [Salvation Army] have progressed till now they own a valuable “barracks” on Clarence street –the old New Connexion Church rejuvenated – and maintained what was called a Workingmen’s Hotels.” - Archibald Bremner, Index to City of London, Ontario, Canada. The pioneer period and the London of to-day, 2nd edition (London Pring & Lithographing Company Limited: London, Ontario, 1897): 101.
“In 1878, T. McCormick being the president, the Association became free from debt, and purchased the old New Connexion Church on Clarence street, refitting the building and calling it Victoria Hall. This was occupied till 1893, when it cold to the Salvation Army and the present site purchased. The new hall was dedicated early in 1897.” - Archibald Bremner, Index to City of London, Ontario, Canada. The pioneer period and the London of to-day, 2nd edition (London Pring & Lithographing Company Limited.: London, Ontario, 1897): 102.
“The first regular meetings of the Association appear to have been held in a room in the Y.M.C.A., which 1874-75 was on the east side of Richmond, across from the Post Office. The first building known as the old ‘New Connection Church’ on the east side of Clarence Street, the Association when along with them, meeting in ‘Victoria Hall’ as the building was now known. In 1885-6 months rent was reported as $20. The Y remained on this site until 1893, when it sold the building to the Salvation Army.” - Margaret Johnson, Women's Christian Association: the first one hundred years 1874-1974, (London, Ontario, 1974): 2.
394 continued
1970 Citadel Corps
1975 Black’s Cameras
1975 Mr. Humidor
1975 Cinecity
1980 Maggie’s Speak Easy
1985 L’Flare Boutique
1990 Computers Applied Inc.
1990-1995 The Agency
1990 Spindle Craft
1990 Text Scan
1995-2000 O’ Donnell Morrison Computer Services
1995-2000 Morrison, A. D. & Associates
2000 ISPAC Solutions Inc.
2000 The Agency
2000 Anderson Cataloguing & Galleries
2005 Sun Seekers
2005 (394-B) Anvision Enterprises
2010-2012 Sun Seekers
2010 MayasolStanish School
396
1886-1905 Western Ontario Bible Society
1900-1905 London Book and Tract Society
1910-1920 S. A. Immigration Department
1930 Bentley, Mrs. M.
1930 Russell, Frances
1975-1980 Lewiscraft
1985-1990 Great West Audio
1995-2000 Vacant
2005-2012 Ontario Energy Savings
394
1886-1889 Victoria Hall
1886-1889 YMCA
1886 WCTU
1886 Women’s CA
1897-1970 Salvation Army
1897-1905 Salvation Army, local corps
1897-1905 Salvation Army, provincial headquarters
1897-1905 Salvation Army (Social department)
1905 Perry Staff, Captain C. Arthur
1905 Russell, Frank
1905 Buchanan, Leonard
1905 Cheeseman, Clara J. (wid Arthur W.)
1910-1920 Savoy Hotel
1925 Mill, C. P.
1925 Fry, Chas.
1925 Bentley, Mrs. M.
1930 Bentley, Thomas
1930-1940 Needham, John
1940 Nott, J. J.
1940 Kingdon, G. W.
1945 Hill, Fred
1945 Clements, Herht
1945 Collis, Jack
1950 Lethaby, D, Mrs.
1950 Agar, A. E.
1950 Gordon, Jas.
1955-1960 Hyatt, Reginald
1955-1960 Hyslop, M., Mrs.
1955 Bennett, J., Mrs.
1960 MacTavish, A. D. Maj.
1965 Kerry, IIIene, Major
1965-1970 Sheen, Harry
Street History
The following list provides information about which businesses operated out the building over the years. During different periods of times Victoria Hall has been listed at 394 or 396 Clarence Street. Presented below is a check in City of London directories approximately every 5 years from 1881-2012.
Interesting Quotes
These three quotes show small interesting parts of history that are not normally heard about, such as the price of renting a space in 1885-6.
Provided on this page are two historical photographs of the building and a couple of interesting quotes that show the type of history not normally provided in an overview history. Finally, there is a list of all businesses that have been listed in City of London Directories at the address of 394 and 396 since 1881-2012.
© Emily Woodcock, November 2014
© Emily Woodcock, November 2014
bottom of page