History of the WISE Hall

Founded in 1958, The wise is a non-profit organization whose mission is to
foster and facilitate cultural, artistic, sporting and social endeavors in partnership with a diverse
community in a socially respectful manner. We provide a community hall for the greater community to gather for fundraising, celebratory, cultural, and other events.

The building now known as the Wise Hall was conceived in 1 923 when the Grandview Methodist Church (Now The Cultch) decided that a meeting hall and gymnasium would be
a welcome addition to the area. The building opened on January 3 1, 1 926 and became known as Gymbodian Hall. The Wise purchased the Hall in 1963, and it became the meeting place of the Wise Club, which it remains to this day.

Increased immigration from the UK in 1957 left many new Canadians wanting to find a connection to their homeland. Peggy Campbell, the founding member of the wise Club, left her name at a radio station and encouraged people to contact her to arrange a meeting. On February 28, 1958, the club held its first meeting at Lochdale Hall where the name wise Club(an acronym for Welsh, Irish, Scottish, English) was chosen. Once the WISE Club was in it’s current Hall, social evenings such as whist, dart games, bridge, picnics, dances, trips and holiday parties took place often. A wise Club soccer team, Glee Club, ladies keep-fit and volleyball teams were also formed and kept the Hall busy in a flurry of activity.

Over the last 50 years, the Wise has witnessed a diversification of both it’s members and events, all the while remaining a landmark social & athletic club and performance venue in the east side of Vancouver. In the 1980’s, the WISE started up its dart and softball teams, and a hockey team joined the ranks in the last decade. At the same time, the Hall became a function and performance space for a plethora of political, cultural and artistic organizations, including the Rogue Folk Club, the Raincity Chronicles, and the New Democrat Party. Most recently, the Wise was the shoot location & backdrop of Vancouver-native, and internationally acclaimed artist, Jeff Wall’s latest photographic artwork. Over the years, the Wise has had an amazing cast of Canadian performers grace her stage, including: Ray Condo, Carolyn Mark, Paul Pigat/Cousin Harley, Neko Case, Gordie Johnson, Rich Hope, and Veda Hille.

In 2008 The W.I.S.E. Club was rebranded to The Wise, to reflect it’s diversification beyond the original UK cultural traditions. Today, the Wise Hall is a space for the entire community to gather, perform and celebrate!

For a history of the WISE Club click here