Where Church and Queenston meet
The important intersection of Church and Queenston streets on St. Catharines’ near east side has long been the site of important local landmarks.
From the time of its construction in 1870-71 until its demolition during the summer of 1950, the St. Paul’s
Ward school occupied the Church Street lot closest to the Queenston intersection. That building was one of six such schools, one for each of the six wards into which the city was then divided, serving the needs of local youngsters.
The St. Paul’s Ward school was originally to have been replaced as early as 1915 by the opening of Connaught School, but the growth of the school population was apparently so great that the St. Paul’s Ward school continued to operate, and did not see its last group of pupils until 1948. After that, the building remained in use for two more years, as a shop for the board of education’s maintenance department.
The school was demolished in the summer of 1950, and on June 21, 1951, a Loblaws Groceteria opened in a brand new building on the site. Our old photo this week shows the Loblaws on opening day, with a large crowd of eager shoppers lining Church Street all the way to Niagara Street. This, the third Loblaws in town, was also said to be the fourth largest Loblaws in the country at that time. The building’s exterior was distinguished by a tall, slim tower rising from one corner of its roof, by the neon-lit Loblaws sign on its Church Street facade, and by a row of colourful flags on its roof. Located at an important city intersection, the building was certainly eye-catching.
Loblaws remained there at 227 Church St. for the next two decades, closing in 1971. For the next decade the Church Street property housed elements of Niagara Region government.
But lastly, in 1983, the building was taken over by its next high-profile occupant — the iconic Delta Bingo. The Delta Bingo signs soon took over the spots where the Loblaws signs had been, and a coat of purple paint made the building stand out just that much more. (The name Delta Bingo is presumed to be based on its location there at the triangular- or wedge-shaped intersection of Church and Queenston streets.)
Delta Bingo soon became a popular place for locals to gather for their favourite game. The enterprise livened up the neighbourhood considerably, and, beyond being an entertaining pastime, the proceeds from the enterprise also provided much needed funds for many worthy local cultural and social institutions.
But all good things must come to an end, and after 30 years of operation there on Church Street the end for Delta Bingo came in 2014 when the owners were forced to declare bankruptcy. Since then, the old Loblaws/Delta Bingo building has sat waiting for its rebirth … super market, bingo hall, what’s next?