Andraeleo Club and Hall, St. Andrews
The Andraeleo Club was formed in 1894 by a group of young men interested in both sports and the arts. It is thought that the name "andrae" meaning "man" and "leo" meaning "lion," alluded to the Club's philosophy of forming supermen, sound in mind and body. The founder was Reverend Patrick O'Flaherty of the Roman Catholic Church, and the Club got its start in the old Catholic Church, located at the head of the town on Mary Street, which had been abandoned for a few years. The Club was interested in more than just gymnastics, however. In its various public productions it featured singing as well, and soon felt that both the sports and artistic side of the Club demanded more space. Accordingly, in 1903 the old Church was moved to a new location at the corner of Church and King Streets, a new building erected, and the old set in the back to be used as a stage. This structure is still there. At present it is called the Europe Restaurant. Between 1903 and the 1940s the Club seems to have gone in more for entertainment than sports; it became the home of operatic entertainments, and also housed the Town's first motion picture theatre. Finally in the 1950's the venerable Hall was taken over by the Royal Canadian Legion, and lost is ancient name and purpose. A peep into the various venues that were hosted in Andraeleo Hall gives a lively and dramatic look into the performing arts in St. Andrews over the decades.