Serving the Community Since 1928

Our History

Outside photo of the Murrayville Hall Sign

Proudly Serving the Community

heritage in the langley community Since 1928.

Welcome to the Murrayville Community Memorial Hall, a cherished landmark nestled in the heart of Langley. Operated with passion and dedication by Langley residents, our hall is more than a building; it's a living legacy.

The Murrayville Community Memorial Hall, honored with a “Historical” designation by the British Columbia Government and the Township of Langley, stands as a symbol of our rich heritage. Governed by a Board of Directors in accordance with the Historical Society's guidelines, we ensure that every decision honors the hall's storied past while looking towards its promising future.

Our Story

How It all began.

The Murrayville Community Hall consists of a large two story rectangular wooden structure with rear one-story addition set at right angles. It is surrounded by an asphalt parking surface and is located adjacent to the historic Five Corners intersection in the The Murrayville Community Hall is important for its historic and cultural values. Built in 1928 by volunteers, it replaced the original community hall that burned down in 1924.

The building is valued for its architectural details, such as its unusual roof form (not quite a gabled hip), narrow lapped wooden siding, and scalloped shingles above the main entry. On the interior and hidden beneath alterations are such notable elements as a proscenium arch around the stage and a vaulted ceiling. The original wood flooring is visible and in good condition. The cultural value of this building lies in its continuous use as a community hall, which remains the centre of community life in Murrayville, and for its association with early residents of the area.

Built by a community effort led by pioneer Ab Sherritt, it derives value from the number and variety of events it has hosted over time, as well as the shared memories associated with those events. Farmers Association meetings, Boy Scout and Curling Club meetings, weddings, graduations, funerals, church services and square dances have all taken place at the Murrayville Community Hall. The longest and most continuous client of the hall is the Murrayville Cribbage Club, a group that started using the site in 1929 and has played there weekly ever since.

The hall is further valued for its association with the pioneer Porter Family, first through George Porter, who moved here with his family and opened a blacksmith shop in 1894, and through his son, Philip Young Porter (known as PY), who bought the neighbourhood store at Murray’s Corners in 1917. It was PY Porter who sold the hall property to the Murrayville Community Hall Association for the sum of $1.00 in 1944. He and his son Eldie took a more practical interest in the hall by being in charge of its care and maintenance for many decades.

The building also represents the shift of the economic, political and social centre of the region from Fort Langley to Murrayville following the Edwardian building boom of the 1910s. Murrayville continued to be the region’s political centre until the Municipal Hall moved east to the City of Langley in 1955. This prominent neighbourhood landmark represents a way of life that has always been cherished by the people of Langley and of Murrayville in particular.

Source: Langley Centennial Museum, heritage files

Lest We Forget

Our Tribute To The Heros.

"Murrayville Community Memorial Hall" is more than a name; it's a salute to the brave men and women of the First World War. This hall is a living monument, a place where their sacrifice and courage are eternally honoured. It's where our community gathers not just to celebrate but to remember and reflect on the freedoms won by these heroes.

As a place where generations gather, it serves as a constant reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of these individuals. It's a commitment to ensuring their legacy endures, woven into the fabric of every event and gathering we host.

Our Heartfelt

Acknowledgments.

The Murrayville Community Memorial Hall Association acknowledges the building is located on the unceded, traditional, ancestral territories of the Kwantlen, Matsqui, Katzie and Semiahmoo First Nations. It is a privilege to be here. Plan your event in this stunning, timeless and classic historic building. Located in Murrayville, Langley in British Columbia. We welcome you to be part of the history of Murrayville.

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the Township of Langley for their continued support under the “Heritage Building Incentive Program” and the “Capital Improvement Grant Program”, and to the Province of British Columbia and the Federal Government of Canada for their support as well.

Murrayville Hall.