The Ralph Connor House is an exceptional Winnipeg example of Jacobethan Revival domestic architecture, noted for its complex roof structure, warm red-brown brick facades contrasted by limestone dressings and opulent interiors. Designed by architect G.W. Northwood, the mansion was first associated with Charles William Gordon, a Presbyterian minister, social reformer and best-selling author of international renown. As 'Ralph Connor', he penned 25 popular novels known for their moralistic, action-oriented plots of good versus evil and for their portrayals of early life in Ontario and the West. The most popular works were incorporated into Manitoba school reading programs in the 1940s, and three were made into silent movies. All the while, Gordon maintained a Winnipeg ministry, served as a military chaplain during World War I, was moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Canada during the formation of the United Church of Canada in 1925, and was eventually involved in the League of Nations. The house has retained a high degree of physical integrity due to its successor occupant, the University Women's Club of Winnipeg, a pioneering organization that has long promoted the advancement of women in the community and has diligently conserved the Ralph Connor House since 1939.