“It’s bigger on the inside!”
Doctor Who
The Victoria Untied Chapter Society (VUCS) Hall is often known affectionately as Harriet Hall or The Eastern Star Hall. Like the Tardis, in the TV show Doctor Who, it looks small from the curbside but it has quite a spacious interior and can accommodate up to 139 persons.
Why is it called 'The VUCS', you say?
Well it's a long story....let's take a walk down memory lane....
The hall was built in 1941 by Parkdale Evangelical Church to
house their large Sunday School program that had outgrown the confines of their
church basement.
On May 10, 1973, it was purchased by the Victoria United Chapter Society.
This Society was originally created in 1915 by the members
of five Chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star; to raise funds to purchase
or build their own hall. Oak Bay Chapter
# 42 withdrew from the Society in 1963 as they purchased Henderson Hall (in Oak
Bay, sold and torn down in 2016) with Henderson Masonic Lodge. The four remaining
Chapters at the time of the purchase of the hall were: Queen City Chapter #5, Victoria
Chapter #17, Centennial Chapter #87 and Esquimalt Chapter #41.
So, the Victoria-area Chapters (V) united (U) to purchase the hall with funds raised by these Chapters (C) and create a Society (S). Well, you get the point on the name, now, and the rest is history!
All Members of Queen City #5, when initiated, automatically become members of the VUCS Society. This Society manages the hall. Directors of the Society are elected by the members each spring.
VUCS is a Not-For-Profit Society and no Directors are remunerated for the hard work they do, as per the Societies Act of BC. (Societies Act) The purpose of this Society is threefold:
Doctor Who
The Victoria Untied Chapter Society (VUCS) Hall is often known affectionately as Harriet Hall or The Eastern Star Hall. Like the Tardis, in the TV show Doctor Who, it looks small from the curbside but it has quite a spacious interior and can accommodate up to 139 persons.
Why is it called 'The VUCS', you say?
Well it's a long story....let's take a walk down memory lane....
 |
| Parkdale Evangelical Church Picnic, circa 1930 |
In 1953, the Sunday school expanded their curriculum and became
the Parkdale Bible School. It ceased to function, in 1968, as a school. Parkdale Church
became the Parkside Evangelical Free Church and moved onto the premises. (This
church congregation is now at 1095 Tolmie Ave.)
On May 10, 1973, it was purchased by the Victoria United Chapter Society.
 |
| Queen City Chapter #5 during the Worthy Grand Matron's Official Visit in 2016 |
VUCS is a Not-For-Profit Society and no Directors are remunerated for the hard work they do, as per the Societies Act of BC. (Societies Act) The purpose of this Society is threefold:
- to manage the upkeep and administer the funds of this property
- providing an affordable place for non-profit clubs/groups to use as a meeting place and citizens in the community to rent at a very affordable cost for private functions such as weddings, memorials, anniversaries, fundraisers, etc.
- to promote the District of Saanich Strategic Plan for Social Well-Being (page 13) by encouraging a sense of community between the Society, all tenant bodies and the citizens of the municipality by promoting growth, tolerance, acceptance, understanding, inclusiveness and collaboration.
