Finnish Labour Temple

The Finnish Labour Temple was constructed in 1910.

The eclectic design consists of two hipped-roof sections joined by a central, gabled-roofed section. The symmetrical facade features a three-storey central polygonal tower, square end bays, regularly arranged windows, and stairs leading up to the porch-covered main entrance. The imposing size of the building speaks to the importance of the area as a centre of Finnish immigration, as it contains offices, meeting rooms, museums and features an original restaurant and large auditorium. It served as a hall for two Finnish organizations representing the active role Finnish Canadians played in the labour movement in Canada. Official recognition refers to the building on its footprint.

HERITAGE VALUE

Finnish Labour Temple was designated a National Historic Site of Canada because:

- it is an architecturally eclectic building built in 1909-10 to serve as a hall for two Finnish organizations

a socialist Local and a temperance society – this imposing labour temple speaks to an era of significant

Finnish immigration to Canada, and reflects the active role of many Finns in Canada’s labour movement

in the first half of the 20th century as well as their commitment to collective organization to improve the

lives of workers and their families;

- as a Finnish haali (hall), it played an important social and community role for Finnish immigrants,

making available a range of social services and mutual aid, housing newspaper offices, and operating a

reading room, library and the Hoito, a cooperative restaurant established in 1918; and,

- its spacious auditorium hosted a vibrant mix of theatrical productions, concerts, dances, sporting events

and festivals, thus contributing to the expression and later the preservation

of Finnish cultural traditions throughout Canada.

The Finnish Labour Temple reflects a period of significant Finnish immigration to Canada during the mid 1870s following the promise of work and unsettled land. Thunder Bay, Ontario became an increasingly popular settlement of Finnish Canadians, leading to the establishment of Finnish culture within the area and the rise of collective organizations. Constructed in 1909-1910, Finnish Labour Temple housed two large Finnish organizations - the Socialist Local and the New Temperance Society, both associated with socialist thought in Canada. The Finnish Labour Temple represents the active role Finnish-Canadians played in the labour movement in Canada and the community’s commitment to political and collective organization. It also acts as a venue for the preservation and celebration of the Finnish community’s unique culture and traditions, reflecting the multiculturalism of the area. Additionally, the Finnish Labour Temple houses the Hoito Restaurant, an internationally acclaimed restaurant established in 1918 which continues to serve traditional Finnish meals. Finnish Labour Temple is an important symbol and landmark to the Finnish community as well as an anchor of Thunder Bay’s Bay-Algoma Street area.

 

~ www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=18724 ~

 

Unfortunately, the Finnish Temple caught on fire on December 22, 2021. Extensive damage was caused to the upper levels of the building and roof collapsed along with the cupola.

 

 

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