This 1½-storey brick and stone building on Selkirk Avenue in Winnipeg, originally measuring 65 feet by 87.6 feet, was designed by local architect John W. Grieve and built in 1889 by contractors Alfred Henry Bears and Archibald Reid, at a cost of $2,899, for the congregation of St. Giles Presbyterian Church. The church was opened officially on 1 December 1889.
Among the clerics who served at the Selkirk Avenue mission of St. Giles Presbyterian Church was David Bell Whimster (1885-1888).
In 1907, as the space needs of the church increased, a new site on Burrows Avenue was selected and a final church service was held here on 8 March 1908. The building was sold and converted into a theatre on a design by local architect Max Zev Blankstein and completed by day labour at a cost of about $6,000. Named the Queen's Theatre, further renovations in 1909, also designed by Blankstein, were completed by contractor J. Cohen at a cost of about $2,200.
Damaged by fire on 7 December 1934, the theatre was repaired and renovated between late 1934 and 1935 in an Art Deco style by the firm of A. Akman and Son at a cost of about $5,000. The theatre closed in the 1950s, later becoming a bingo hall and synagogue meeting space.
St. Giles Presbyterian Church (1889)
Source: St. Giles Presbyterian Church, Silver Jubilee, 1885-1910.
The former Hebrew Sick Benefit Association Hall (June 2018)
Source: George Penner
The former Hebrew Sick Benefit Association Hall (January 2023)
Source: Jordan MakichukSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.91243, W97.13442
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Alfred Henry Bears (1857-1936)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: St. Giles Presbyterian Church (294 Burrows Avenue, Winnipeg)
Memorable Manitobans: Max Zev Blankstein (1874-1931)
Manitoba Business: A. Akman and Son / Akman Construction
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1247/1908, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Tenders,” Manitoba Free Press, 1 October 1908, page 2.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 126/1909, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Building permits,” Winnipeg Tribune, 8 March 1909, page 8.
“Building is saved from destruction by fire-fighters,” Winnipeg Free Press, 8 December 1934, page 16.
“City briefs,” Winnipeg Free Press, 11 December 1934, page 5.
“Building notes,” Winnipeg Tribune, 12 January 1935, page 14.
“Building notes,” Winnipeg Tribune, 23 February 1935, page 17.
“Hebrew Benefit Society opens new quarters,” Winnipeg Tribune, 20 May 1935, page 2.
Winnipeg fire insurance map, #273 May 1956, City of Winnipeg Archives.
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
Winnipeg 1912 by Jim Blanchard, 2005, pages 195-197.
St. Giles Presbyterian Church (Queen's Theatre), 239 Selkirk Avenue by Murray Peterson, Peterson Projects, December 2009.
We thank Nathan Kramer and George Penner for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 4 August 2025
Historic Sites of Manitoba
This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only.
Browse lists of:
Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | OtherInclusion in this collection does not confer special status or protection. Official heritage designation may only come from municipal, provincial, or federal governments. Some sites are on private property and permission to visit must be secured from the owner.
Site information is provided by the Manitoba Historical Society as a free public service only for non-commercial purposes.
Send corrections and additions to this page
to the MHS Webmaster at webmaster@mhs.mb.ca.Help us keep history alive!
