St. Hilda's was founded in 1888 as a women's college affiliated with the University of Trinity College. Opportunities at that time for a higher education for women in Canada were few. Located first on Euclid Avenue and then Shaw Street, St. Hilda's moved in 1899 to this building designed by Eden Smith on the Trinity campus. Initially St. Hilda's students took separate pass lectures, but in 1894 all Trinity classes were opened to women. St. Hilda's nevertheless continued to maintain its own distinct traditions and activities. The University of Trinity College federated with the University of Toronto in 1904, and in 1925 Trinity and St. Hilda's moved to the Queen's Park campus. This building then became a residence for the elderly known as Strachan House. Since 1983 it has served as the Church of the Good Samaritan, a home for men.