Not long after the parish had been formed, the need of a hall for church society meetings and social affairs became evident. Father Stapleton was frequently asked by the young people of the parish to build such a place, and he was fully aware of the great utility of a parish recreational center. However, other needs were more urgent. It was not until 1917 that the last necessary unit in the group of parish buildings was completed. As soon as the World War I was over, the project was brought up again. A great many young men from Annunciation parish had heeded their country's call to arms, and served bravely at the front. Four of them never returned. To honor the memory of her sons who made the supreme sacrifice on the blood-stained battlefields of France, as well as to rear a monument to the bravery and patriotism of all her children who had been in the service, the parish decided to build the hall as a War Memorial. Great enthusiasm was aroused, a drive for funds was made, and liberal amounts subscribed. Work on the building began in 1923 and was completed the following summer. Much credit for the success of the project was due to Mr. George Burns and Mr. James Hickey. On September 24, 1924, the formal opening took place. Some time later, with appropriate ceremonies, members of the parish Red Cross unit presented to the hall a marble tablet bearing the names of Annunciation’s slain heroes. They are Joseph M. Brennan, Charles O Dozois, Russell D. Hurley and Camiel Roose. A dream of many years was now realized.

The hall is one of the finest buildings of its kind in the Middle West. To give a brief description, the first floor plan takes in the office, check room, cigar stand, ladies' lounge, men's smoking and card room, a small meeting room with an elevated stage and two class rooms used to care for pupils from the school. The second floor contains the auditorium. The dance floor in this room is one of the finest in the city. Its smooth hardwood surface cannot be excelled anywhere. When it is desired to use the auditorium for purposes other than dancing, a huge canvas cover, installed or removed in a very few moments, protects the dance floor. The auditorium has a seating capacity of approximately one thousand persons and the balcony, which extends around three sides of the room, provides an additional seating capacity of three hundred and sixty persons. A full size stage extends across one end. The auditorium is also used as a gymnasium. The basement contains a fully equipped kitchen with all utensils and equipment necessary for the serving of either, an informal lunch or a regular full course dinner. A regulation sized boxing ring is erected in the basement, with all the extra equipment incident to this sport.

Before the Community Hall could function it was necessary that a competent management be assured. Casting about for the proper man to shoulder the cares and responsibilities of such a job, Father Stapleton chose Mr. William E. Phillips, for many years one of the most active members of the Ushers' Club. Mr. Phillips has conducted the Community Hall in such a manner that no one has ever felt the slightest misgivings about attending affairs held there or allowing any of the members of the family to do so. Rowdyism, questionable dancing, unbecoming conduct of any kind, have never been tolerated, and, under the present management, never will be. Annunciation Community Hall was the first of this type of building to be erected in the Middle West. It has done pioneer work in its field. In accepting the appointment, running a project that was new to him as well as new to the community, Mr. Phillips has had to work out his own program and method of procedure. He has made a success of this venture-so much so that our Hall and its management have served as a model and authority which others have followed. He has nursed the activities of the Hall along from a very small beginning until, at the present time the records show the following activities during 1930:

There were twenty-eight different activities in the hall, holding a total of 1,270 meetings, classes, rehearsals or sessions, with an average monthly attendance of 4,500 persons. How diversified the work of the hall has become, and how fully it covers the entire parish, can best be understood by reading the following list of organizations holding meetings there: Ushers' Club, Altar Society, Young Ladies' Sodality, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Dramatic Club, "A" Club, Alumni, Children of Mary, Junior Holy Name Society, Ladies’ Auxiliary A. O. H. Bowling League, League of Catholic Women, Manresa, Athletic Meetings.

Mr. Phillips has encouraged the youth of the parish and has set them a wonderful example. He is a strict disciplinarian but he always has the best interests of the boys at heart. Baseball, football, basketball, boxing, are all under his watchful eye, in addition to the hundred and one other duties of his position. His has been an exacting task, taking care of last minute requests and endeavoring to comply with everybody's wishes. I a position of this kind, it is difficult to please everyone. Nevertheless, Mr. Phillips has made a great many staunch friends since assuming the management of the hall.

Annunciation Community Hall carries the highest rating with the many municipal inspection divisions, not only because of the manner in which social affairs are conducted, but also because of the high standards maintained in regard to cleanliness and safety. There is not a single instant when any doors or emergency exits are allowed to be blocked or locked while the building is occupied. The Community Hall has often been held up as an example for others to follow.

It is Father Stapleton's wish that the Community Hall be the meeting place for every society and organization, and that it be used to the fullest extent by all the members of Annunciation parish.