Bishop Hellmuth
The neighbourhood of Bishop Hellmuth
The architectural style of the area is predominantly in the Queen Anne Revival style built in the early 1900s. There are two historic churches built in 1888 and 1889, St John the Evangelist and New St. James which provide extra architectural interest for the area. The houses have brick exteriors and display elements typical of the Queen Anne Revival style, including double-hung sash windows, front verandahs and steeply sloping roofs with secondary gables, dormers and peaks. Entrance doors are architectural highlights with transoms, sidelights and stained glass accents. Decorative front gables are richly embellished and decorative wood trim is evident. The houses are mostly uniform in height, reaching between one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half storeys. The consistency of these elements creates a distinct character and a visual cohesiveness in the district.
 
The area was named after Bishop Isaac Hellmuth who built the Hellmuth Boys College in 1865. The school closed in 1877 and Hellmuth went on to become the first chancellor and founder of the University of Western Ontario (UWO) which is located just a few blocks north of the community.
 
The Bishop Hellmuth community was the feature neighbourhood for the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) Geranium Walk House Tour in 2013. This tour features neighbourhoods with historical streetscapes and homes and invites people from all over the City to come and enjoy the area.
 
Bishop Hellmuth is also home to St. George’s Public School and is a top rated school for students from JK – 8. The local high school is Central Public School that was founded in 1877 and is the #1 rated high school in Ontario based on standardized test scores. Montessori House of Children is located directly adjacent to the community and has programming for preschool children through Grade 8.
Bishop Hellmuth is a wonderful community and was declared a Heritage Conservation Area in 2003. The Bishop Hellmuth Heritage Conservation District is located on the north side of Oxford Street E. between Wellington and Waterloo, on both sides of Waterloo Street between Oxford and Grosvenor, on both sides of Grosvenor Street between Waterloo and Wellington and on both sides of Wellington Street generally between Grosvenor and Oxford Street E. Within this boundary it includes blocks along St. James Street and Hellmuth Avenue.

The neighbourhood is also within walking distance to the wonderful Gibbons Park. Gibbons Park has tennis courts, outdoor pool, splash pad, many play structures, picnic shelter and a boat ramp for the Thames River. It also has access to the many kilometers of bike paths that run through our City. Just north of the area is one of London’s biggest off leash dog parks. It is a great wooded area with trails that allows your dog to run free and get exercise.
 
There is wonderful shopping and restaurants within walking distance to Bishop Hellmuth. Among some notables are:
 
The Bungalow 910 Waterloo Street – great local restaurant and bar. Wonderful place to have an evening out yet casual enough for the family.
Willy’s Café 731 Wellington Street – best sandwiches in town!
The Shops and Restaurants of Richmond Row – There is something for everyone is this lovely shopping and restaurant district.
Share by: